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COLUMBUS, 



THE DISCOTERY OF AMERlCAi 



AS RELATED BY 



A FATHER TO HIS CHILDREN, 



DESIGNED FOR THE INSTRUCTION OF YOUTH. 



TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF jt Hf 'cImPE, 

BY ELIZABETH HELME, 

AUTHOR OF THE HISTORV OF ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, ROME, kc. i,C. 



^;^^'<^ 



BOSTON 



MUNROE AND FRANCIS, AND CHARfc*^^^^^^, 
NEW-YORK. 



{i)9 



,^a 



TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. 



In the following sheets, though the names Father and 
Mother are applied to the elders, it appears that Mr. 
Campe's conversations were not held with his own children, 
but with pupils ; yet as a family circle is usually more in- 
teresting to young people, than one farther removed, the 
Translator has followed the literal sense of the Author. 

In relating the discovery of America, Mr. Campe has 
given their full merit to the adventurers, for courage, pa- 
tience, perseverance, genius, and all the good qualities they 
possessed j retracing with a merciful hand the deeds that 
disgraced them, and skilfully preserving the medium which 
he expressed in his Preface, of not giving his pupils, on their 
entrance into life, an exaggerated idea of their cotempora- 
ries being either angels or fiends, but mortals possessing a 
mingled share of uprightness and error. At the same time 
he strongly inculcates those virtues that dignify human na- 
ture, exemplifying them, as opportunities occur, in the course 
of his narrative. Inciting bis youthful auditors to follow 
meritorious example, he says, " Thus, my children, have 
those youths distinguished themselves, even in their early 
years, who aspired to great actions. Rejoice, then, if, like 
Columbus, you possess that youthful ardour which leads to 



IV PREFACIi. 

noble pursuits } but if you cannot yet give yourselves that 
pleasing testimony, hasten, I conjure you, to endeavour to 
obtain it j for, in a short time, the years of preparation will 
be elapsed, gone without recal — a loss never to be re- 
paired !" 

To impress their minds with fortitude and patience un- 
der misfortunes, and to implant a firm reliance on Provi- ■ 
dence, are leading features in this Work, which the author 
illustrates, not only by the conduct of Columbus, but by his 
own feelings. '' Experience," says he, " has taught me, 
that by supporting misfortunes with fortitude and patience, 
and firmly relying on the Divine will, the clouds of sorrow 
will disperse, when least expected; the night of tribulation 
pass like a dream, and the sun of unexpected pleasure en- 
liven with its cheering influence the human soul. Learn, 
my children, and let this truth be engraven on your hearts, 
that in the hour of trial it may sustain your sinking spirits. 
That those heavy calamities, which at the time I consider- 
ed as my greatest misfortune, have been the immediate 
basis on which Providence has established my future suc- 
cesses. Convinced of this, I have learned to submit with 
resignation to whatever it shall please God to inflict 3 assur- 
ed that his infinite wisdom is the best judge of what is prop- 
er for the weakness of the creatures he has made." 

For an endeavour to disseminate sentiments like these, the 
Translator can make no apology, and can only wish that 
her power equalled her inclination to impress them with iu-« 
delible characters on the mind* of the rising generation, 



Tni 



AUTHOR'S PREFACE. 



It is some years since I formed the design of composing 
a succession of little Works, calculated to inform, in a useful 
and agreeable manner, the age of infancy and youth. The 
thought occurred to me from observing the absolute want of 
such a collection, made with care, and particularly with a 
view to those early periods. To attain this end the choice of 
materials was principally to be considered, and the grada- 
tion necessary to be observed both in the subjects and style, 
that they might be so far adapted to the purpose, that young 
people of every age might be successively instructed and 
amused. This is what I in part attempted to execute when 
I published " The Children's Little Library," and " The 
New Robinson Crusoe," which last ought to precede the 
histories of Columbus and Cortez ; the children who read 
my former works being the sole readers whom I had in view 
when 1 digested the present, I have considered no greater 
stock of ideas necessary than those acquired from the peru- 
sal of the books alluded to ; and what the New Robinson 
has left imperfect in the development of these ideas, will be 
easily completed by Columbus, the style of which may on 
this account be found in some measure more elevated than 
that of the former work. 

It may be asked, &r what kind of reading^ the history of 

i* 



VI PREFACE. 

Columbus is to prepare my young readers ? I answer, for 
the histories of Cortez aud Pizarro, which will immediale'- 
ly follow it, and aAerwards for a collection of voyages prop-- 
erly arranged for their instruction. In the composition of 
such a selection, I would introduce no idea of cosmographyr 
geography, history, «fec. that may not have been previously 
acquired by the perusal of the works before-mentioned, and 
a course of ordinary studies. To this I purpose to dedicate 
my few leisure hours for some years to come, as it appears 
to me that they cannot be better or more usefully employ- 
ed ; for, if any thing may be judged capable of forming the 
character of a young man, enlarging without fatigue or dis- 
gust the sphere of his observation upon men and manners, 
and of arming him betimes against those romantic reveries 
which the fashionable books of the present age appear so- 
licitous to inculcate ; in short, if any thing can give him a 
salutary contempt for the aflected jargon or frivolity, or 
sentiment, and of false delicacy, with which these danger- 
ous productions are filled, and inspire him, on the contrary, 
with a taste for chaste and profitable amusements, it is 
doubtless a simi4ar collection of voyages, where the author^ 
in the choice of the events, and the manner of relating them, 
shall have confined his attention solely to this object. Such 
is the plan which I have formed, a plan to which the present 
work may be considered as 3 necessary preparative. 

From what has been said, it may be understood why I 
have preferred the form of dialogue. If the interlocutor* 
Jess frequently interrupt the principal narrative, the reason- 
is obvious 5 I was myself less frequently interrupted in the 
recitals I addressed to my young pupils, of which recitals 
the present work is but a faithful transcript, and passage* 
that required an explanation more rarely occurred. 

The sources from whence I have drawn the materials for 
this work being generally known, I thought it unnecessary 
to point them out ; but the informed reader will easily dis- 



PREFACE. VII 

cern, that, far from following them at random, I have se- 
lected them with the most scrupulous attention, adopting 
sometimes one author, sometimes another, as it appeared to 
me more clear and satisfactory. In doubtful circumstances, 
or where I could discover no solid reason to determine me, 
I have been almost constantly guided by an author,' who to 
the penetration of the Englishman has joined the indefatiga- 
ble perseverance of the German. I have nevertheless at 
different times had occasion to reject some errors which 
have crept into his work, but on events of little importance. 
^ I have more than once in my preceding publications ad- 
vanced this principle : " The tutor, far from discovering to 
his pupils the dark side of human nature, should, on the 
contrary, employ his utmost skill to conceal it, lest he give 
birth to the following idea : — " Since other men are natur- 
ully inclined to vice, it is unjust to require us to be an ex- 
ception to the general rule." I am aware that I may be 
reproached with deviating myself from the principles I have 
laid down, in publishing, for the amusement of youth, a 
narrative replete with traits of injustice, rapine, and inhu- 
manity. To this charge I answer, first, that the book is 
not designed for the early stages of childhood, but for those 
who are approaching adolescence, nay, who have already 
attained it. Secondly, I entreat my accusers to recollect 
the restriction I annexed to my precept, viz. that, as the pu- 
pils advanced in years, and the time of their entering into 
the world drew nigh, it was necessary by degrees to unveil 
the truth, and with infinite precaution to discover to them 
the caprice and injustice of men ; lest, finding themselves 
deceived in the flattering picture they had drawn, from im- 
agining a society of angels, they fall into the opposite ex- 
treme, and take their fellow creatures for so many fiends. 
Thirdly, it is to be observed, that the same impression is not 

* Robertson. 



VlII PJlEFACtJ. 

made on the mind of the child, when he is told thai such of 
such villains lived some centuries ag'o, as when he is in- 
formed they exist among- his cotemporaries. With respect to 
the effect this information may produce, it depends wholly 
upon the colours under which it is represented to his young 
mind i these colours may, according^ to the manner in which 
they are selected and employed, cause the picture to operate 
in unison with, or in opposition to the ideas of the painter. 
It is from this choice and preparation that I dare flatter 
myself the experienced tutor will find that I have not de- 
viated from my point. 

The flattermg m<tnner in which the public have replied to 
my question. '" Whether this work should be committed to 
the press," has touched me in the most lively manner ; and 
I sincerely wish it may answer the expectations of those who 
have so warmly interested themselves in its success. They 
who peruse it will readily discover that my object in com- 
posing it was the same as that I have always had much at 
heart, viz. not only furnishing- the minds of my pupils with 
useful and agreeable knowledge, but inflaming them with 
an ardent zeal for their religion, and a love of the social vir- 
tues 3 arming them betimes with a courage that will render 
them proof against adversity, and inspiring them with a 
lively desire of signalizing themselves by acts of humanity 
and public utility. Heaven grant that I may not fail in 
my intention ! It is the sweet, the grateful reward I ex- 
pect for my feeble efforts ; this attained, I willingly re- 
nounce every other. 



COLUMBUS. 



DIALOGUE I. 

JVlcholas (calling.) Theophilus ! Chris- 
tian ! Frederic ! John ! Where are you all? 
Christian. What's to be done now f 

JVicholas. Make haste and call the rest; 
my father is going to tell us a story. 

All. How delightful ! 

Frederic. May I not fetch my brothers 
and sister, father f 

Father. With all my heart. (Frederic 
goes out.) 

Christian to JVicholas. What is my fath- 
er going to relate to us ? 

JVicholas. 1 do not know yet ; but I dare 
say it will be as pleasing as Robinson Crusoe. 

Frederic returns running, followed by 
Henry, John, Peter, Ferdinand, J\laihias, 
Charles, and Charlotte, all exclaiming — Are 
you indeed, my dear father, going to tell us a 
story ^ 



10 COLUMBUS. 

Father. Yes, my children, if it will con- 
tribute to your amusement. 

All. Oh ! that it will. Now, father. 

Charlotte. Do not be so hasty ; my fa- 
ther will be good enough to stay till I have 
called mother. 

Father. Undoubtedly, my love, your mo- 
ther nmst be of the party. Will you request 
her to oblige us with her company f 

Charlotte in a few minutes returned with 
her mother ; when the whole party being plac- 
ed, the father, after a short pause, addressing 
them said, Well, my children, whose history 
do you think I mean to relate ? 

John. It is impossible to judge, father. 

Father. Doubtless it is now ; but per- 
haps you may guess, when T inform you, that 
I mean to give the history of the most remark- 
able character that ever existed, — a man 
who made one of the most important discove- 
ries, and to whom we owe many of the con- 
veniences of life, and also much information, 
that we should not otherwise have possessed. 
Well, now can you judge ? 

Theophilus. I think you mean Peter 
Hele. 

Father. And why do you particularly 
guess him ^ 

Theophilus. Because he was ingenious, 
and the first inventor of watches. 



COLUMBUS. 11 

Frederic. Ah ! I remember reading that ; 
and also that watches were then called the 
eggs of JVu remherg. 

H^nry. I think there are more interesting 
inventions than those. 

Charlotte. Now, it is my opinion that fa- 
ther means the man at Brunswick, who in- 
vented spinning-wheels, but whose name 1 
have forgotten. 

Christian. Jurgens. 

John (ironically.) I know not why he 
should be named before JMoumme, the inven- 
ter of the Brunswick beer that bears his 
name. ^ 

Father. Well, since you cannot guess, I 
must inform you that I mean Columbus^ who 
first discovered America. 

John. Oh, I am glad to hear it, for I 
have read of him. 

Father. Well, then, be attentive. Near 
three Imndred and fifty years ago, at Genoa, 
in Italy, there dwelt a man named Christo- 
pher Columbus."'^ Of his birth little is 
known, except that his ancestors gained their 
living by navigation ; a circumstance that 
may perhaps account for his having from his 

* The discoverer of America is generally kno^vn by the 
name of Columbus, but his real name, according^ to the 
Spaniards was CoLOW, which is the appellation given him by 
all Spanish writers. 



12 COLUMBUS. 

childhood a decided preference for a sea-far* 
ing life, which he at length embraced. 

From his early youth he possessed disposi- 
tions not only requisite in a skilful navigator,but 
also those necessary to form a great and good 
man. He was courageous and resolute, con- 
temned idleness and effeminacy, disdained to 
pamper his appetite with dainties, which, 
while they please the palate, destroy the 
health ; in short, he was the declared enemy 
of luxury and frivolity, and constantly employ- 
ed in some study that might render him here- 
after useful to his fellow creatures. As he 
was informed, that in order to study the sci- 
ences successfully, it was first necessary to 
learn Latin, on account of the number of use- 
ful books in that language, he immediately 
applied so assiduously, that he speedily ac- 
quired a knowledge sufficient to assist him in 
his pursuits.: 

It was then that he could profit by the in- 
struction of his masters, which he received 
with such avidity, that in a short time he 
made so great a progress in geography, ge- 
ometry, astronomy, and drawing, that he was 
capable of going to sea in his fourteenth year, 
possessed of all the elementary knowledge 
necessary for a skilful navigator. 

Thus, my children, have those youths dis- 
tinguished themselves, even in their early 



COLUMBUS. 13 

years, who aspired to great actions ; for it is 
true that, according to the proverb, — The 
branch should be bent while the tree is green. 
Rejoice, then, if like Columbus you feel that 
noble ardour which leads to great pursuits ; 
but if you cannot yet give yourselves that 
pleasing testimony, hasten I conjure you to 
endeavour to deserve it, for in a short time 
the years of preparation will be elapsed. 
Think of this, my children, gone without re- 
cal, — a loss never to be repaired. 

To return to Columbus. He served his 
apprenticeship in the Mediterranean, to which 
sea the navigation of his countrymen was 
then confined ; but this sphere was much too 
contracted for a spirit that was emulous of 
performing some great action that had yet 
been unattempted. 

He therefore sought occasion to make long 
voyages ; and after sailing to the North Seas, 
where he greatly extended his knowledge, 
he engaged himself in the service of a cap- 
tain, one of his relations, who had at his own 
expence fitted out some armed ships, to cruise 
alternately against the Venetians and the 
Turks. 

Frederic. What is meant by cruising, fa- 
ther ^ 

Father. It is navigating, in order to watch 
the enemy's ships, and if possible to take them. 
2 



14 COLUMBUS. 

Frederic. In the same manner as I re- 
member reading Admiral Roduey acted with 
regard to the Spanish vessels. 

Father. The same. In this* cruise Co- 
lumbus would have lost his life had not Prov- 
idence reserved him for more glorious ex- 
ploits. The vessel which he commanded be- 
ing engaged with a Venetian ship, our young 
hero proved himself a model of valour ; but 
just at the moment he was on the point of 
boarding the enemy, his vessel took fire. I 
judge you understand what I mean by the 
word hoarding ? 

Mathias. It is, father, when one ship 
grapples another so strongly, that it cannot 
disengage itself ; in which case, the crew 
fight upon the decks' with sword and pistol, 
until one of the parties surrender. 

Father. Well explained. Represent to 
yourself two vessels thus grappled, sinking at 
the same time, and no ship in sight to save 
the crews. In this dreadful state was Co- 
lumbus ; but even then, neither his prudence, 
intrepidity, nor presence of mind forsook him, 
for, throwing himself into the sea, he seized a 
floating oar, by the aid of which he fortunate- 
ly gained the coast at the distance of two 
marine leagues. 

Henry. Pray, father, what is the compu- 
tation of a marine league ^ 



COLUMBUS. 15 

Father, Three quarters of a German 
mile, or three miles and one sixth English. 
Columbus saved himself on the coast of Por- 
tugal, and had no sooner recovered his fatigue, 
than he resolved to visit the capital. 
Charlotte. Lisbon, father, is it not f 

Father. Undoubtedly. This shipwreck 
contributed greatly to accelerate the glorious 
course he afterwards pursued, and may prove 
to us, that the beneficence of Providence fre- 
quently exerts itself in our favour, even from 
our seeming misfortunes. Attend, and I will 
explain this. The Portuguese were at this 
period the most skilful sailors in the world ; 
they had sailed farther into the Atlantic 
Ocean, which was then little known, than any 
other nation, and had been recompensed for 
their intrepidity by the discovery of two 
islands, which they named Porto Santo and 
Madeira. 

Charles. They are no great distance from 
Africa. 

Father. The same. This success induc- 
ed those enterprising men to venture yet far- 
ther in their pursuits, until at length they 
formed the great design of endeavouring to 
find a passage by sea to India. 

Frederic. They could not be long in mak- 
ing that discovery. 

Father, Why do you suppose so f 



16 COLUMBUS. 

Ferdinand. It was only necessary to con- 
sult the map, to have immediately seen that 
they must keep the coast of Africa, doubled 
the Cape of Good Hope, continue their course 
up the other side of Africa, and they imme- 
diately reach India. (Tracing with his fin- 
ger on the map.) 

Father, Truly, Ferdinand, you are right ; 
but was it not very extraordinary that formerly 
they were studying for a whole century what 
we discover at a single glance. 

John. But we have a map to consult j 
and also know the possibility of doubling the 
Cape. 

Father. Ferdinand, observe your broth- 
er. Pray, did not the people of those days 
possess a map of Africa ? And were they 
uninformed of the practicability of doubling 
the Cape f 

John. Undoubtedly they were, which 
made them anxious to discover India by taking 
a course round Africa. 

Henry. We also find, by ancient geogra- 
phy, that they knew nothing more than the 
northern part of Africa, and a small part of 
Ethiopia ; but, whether the land ended on the 
south side, or extended to the South Pole, 
the ancients were unacquainted.'^ 

* It is related, that by order of Nechor, king of Egypt, the 
Phoenician navigator* sailed round Africa j but there is great 



COLUMBUS. 17 

Father, You see, then, my dear Ferdi- 
nand, if this be true, we might not have been 
wiser, had we then existed, than the Portu- 
guese. In this case it appears to me, as if 
some one, at the present time, were to ask us 
how we should reach India by sailing round 
North America, or otherwise, by the north- 
east coast of Europe and Asia. Well, will 
your charts furnish you whith an answer to 
that question ^ 

Ferdinand. No, father. 

Father, Why not .? 

Ferdinand. Because it is not specified on 
the maps, whether there is, or is not, to the 
north of America and Asia, a sea open to all 
parts. 

Father. Why is it not mentioned ? 

Ferdinand. Most probably because the 
geographer was ignorant of it himself. 

Father. Agreed. But why should he be 
so, when he had nothing farther to do than to 
read the voyages of those that had passed by 
the north ^ 

Ferdinand. Perhaps no person had made 
that voyage. 

reason to doubt the truth of this tradition. Herodotus, how- 
ever, expressly says, that they not only coasted round Africa, 
but also penetrated into the North Sea, reluming hoihe by 
the Mediterranean. 

Sei Herodotus, 2 c. 168. lib. iv. c. 4«. 
2* 



18 COLKMBUS. 

Father. Do you not then at once con- 
ceive, that it was necessary, above three hun- 
dred years ago, to begin, by making attempts 
in order to discover the practicability of 
reaching India by sea ? 

Ferdinand. It must be so ; I now per- 
fectly comprehend. 

Father. Columbus having reached Lis- 
bon, his knowledge and talents soon procured 
him the friendship of many skilful navigators, 
in which circle they frequently discoursed on 
the intended plan. 

Frederic. Pray, father, which way did 
they go to India, at that period ? 

Father. In those days the Venetians were 
the only nation that traded to India, the pro- 
ductions of which country they received by 
the Red Sea and the Mediterranean ; but 
those two seas, as you well know, have no 
communication, being separated by a con- 
siderable isthmus.^ When the vessels reach- 
ed this isthmus, they were obliged to be un- 
laden, and the merchandize carried, either 
by land or by small boats on the canals, to 

* The same King of Egypt, Nechor, (before mentionecl,) 
who existed about 600 years before Christ, attempted to make 
a communication between the Mediterranean and the Red 
Sea i but, after losing twelve thousand men, he desisted, con- 
vinced that his scheme was impracticable. 



COLUMBUS. 



19 



Alexandria in Egypt, from whence they were 
sent by the Mediterranean to Venice. 

'J'he necessity of lading and unlading the 
vessels, and the remittance of the goods to 
Alexandria, must necessarily cramp the com- 
merce of India so greatly, that it is natural 
to suppose the discovery of a way by sea was 
regarded of the utmost importance. Chance 
also led to another circumstance, which great- 
ly facilitated the important design of Colum- 
bus. He married the daughter of a captain 
who had been of the party in making the dis- 
covery of the Isles of Porto Santo and Ma- 
deira, and by this union, enjoyed the advan- 
tage of perusing the journals and maps of a 
skilful navigator. 

He studied them with unwearied attention, 
until, by frequent perusal, his inclination for 
discoveries daily gained strength, and he re- 
solved to visit those newly found islands ; he 
accordingly embarked for Madeira, where, 
during several years, he carried on a lucra- 
tive commerce, trading alternately to the 
Canaries, the coast of Africa, and the Azores. 

Alother (ironically.) Pray, did he not 
take his wife with him in these voyages ^ 

Father. I should think not, as none of his 
historians have mentioned that circumstance. 

Mother, Then 1 am resolved he shall sail 
no farther this evening. Come, my children. 



20 



COLUMBUS. 



you have attended long enough for one time ; 
a little gardening will be an agreeable relax- 
ation. 

Charlotte. Oh ! mother, thus you always 
serve us whenever father comes to an inter- 
esting part. 

Theophilus. Never mind, Charlotte ; mo- 
ther's only incentive is our health, and to 
teach us not to give way to impatience. 

All. Well then, to work, to work — to 
play let's be merry. 



DIALOGUE II. 

Father. During the short voyages that 
Columbus made to the Canaries, his enter- 
prising spirit was continually employed on 
one great idea, to which his residence at Lis- 
bon had given birth. " What," said he, as 
he reflected on tiie subject, " is it possible 
that tiiere should not be a nearer way to the 
Indies than that sought by the Portuguese, of 
sailing round Africa f Surely, if, on leaving 
Europe, sail were constantly made directly 
westward through the Atlantic Ocean, it 
would lead to a land which must be India, or, 



COLUMBUS. 21 

which at least, appertains unto it. The 
earth is undoubtedly round, and if so, God 
has most probably created in the opposite 
hemisphere, a country Iiabitable by man and 
other creatures ; for it is not likely that it 
should be entirely composed of water. In- 
dia is, perhaps, much more extensive than is 
generally imagined, and possibly extends to- 
wards the east, near Europe ; if, therefore, 
the course were directed right westward, it 
must inevitably be attained." 

Such was his first reasoning on the pro- 
bability of the opposite side of our globe be- 
ing habitable ; an idea that was strengthened, 
by much reflection and observation, arising, 
among others, from these circumstances : — 
The master of a Portuguese vessel, having ad- 
vanced a considerable way into the Atlantic 
Ocean, sailing westward, drew up a piece of 
wood brought by that wind, and which evi- 
dently bore the marks of labour. This strong- 
ly corroborated his supposition, that towards 
the west there was an inhabited country, 
'i'he brother-in-law of Columbus, Pedro Cor- 
reo, a celebrated navigator, sailing from Ma- 
deira westward, had also found a similar 
plank. They had likewise, from time to time, 
discovered on the coast of the Azores — 
But before I proceed, let me ask you if you 
recollect where those isles are situated ? 



22 COLUMBUS. 

Christian. Certainly we do. They are 
in the Atlantic Ocean, between Europe and 
Anierica, and are also called the Spur Islands. 

Father. Well, then, on the western coast 
of these islands, they had freqnently found 
trees of a species unknown to them, brought 
by the same winds ; and what rendered their 
idea yet more probable than all 1 have re- 
lated to you, was that one day the waves threw 
on the same coast the bodies of two men, 
whose persons they considered peculiarly re- 
markable, as they neither resembled Europe- 
ans, nor yet the inhabitants of Asia or Africa. 
Columbus caiefully reflected on these differ- 
ent circumstances, and compared them with 
what he had studied, both from ancient and 
modern authors, respecting India ; the whole 
of which contributed to change his conjectures 
into conviction. 

He was however careful not to trust entire- 
ly to his own judgment, and therefore con- 
sulted a man whose penetration and under- 
standing were at that time in high estimation. 
His name was Paul ; he was a physician, and 
resided at Florence, a city in Italy. I'his 
wise man considered the observations of Co- 
lumbus of the greatest importance, communi- 
cated to him some observations he himself 
had made on the same subject, and conclud- 
ed, by exhorting him to realize so great a 
project. 



COLUMBUS. 23 

From this time Columbus was firmly re- 
solved on the enterprize ; but as it required 
a fitting out far beyoud the compass of his 
fortune, he was necessitated to propose the 
execution to some superior power. He did 
not hesitate a moment to devote the fruit of 
his future discoveries to his own country, rath- 
er than to any other state, in consequence of 
which he presented the plan, which he had 
drawn up, to the Senate at Genoa ; who, 
however, incapable of understanding the so- 
lidity of his reasonings, took this great man 
for an idle projector, and declined his offers. 

Columbus was not discouraged by this re- 
pulse ; -and having satisfied the duty he owed 
to his country, turned his thoughts towards 
Lisbon, which had • lately signalized itself in 
enterprizes of the same kind. His proposal 
was listened to with the utmost attention ; but 
having, by degrees, drawn from him the whole 
of the plan, they were guilty of the meanest 
duplicity towards him. 

They had formed the resolution of depriv- 
ing him of the honour he would obtain by 
such interesting discoveries ; and, with that 
view, fitted out a vessel in haste, giving the 
direction to another commander to execute 
what Columbus had projected. This captain 
accordingly set sail ; but possessing neither 
the spirit of enterprize, nor the courage of the 



24 COLUMBUS. 

man whose right was thus infringed, he, after a 
short voyage towards the west, renounced all 
hopes of success, and returned to Lisbon dis--' 
contented and totally disheartened. 

John. I am very glad that the foolish and 
treacherous Portuguese did not succeed in 
their attempt to deceive poor Columbus. 

Father. 'I'hat event must doubtless give 
us pleasure ; but, my dear boy, we should be 
cautious of accusing the whole of the Portu- 
guese nation with either folly or treachery, be- 
cause, three hundred years ago, four or five 
evil-disposed counsellors persuaded the king 
to commit an unjust action, which was, per- 
haps, abhorred by all the rest of the country. 

John. I only meant to condemn those who 
devised it, father. 

Father. In that case you are perfectly 
right — -it was an act of the utmost meanness 
and treachery towards Columbus, who felt 
himself so justly offended, that he immedi- 
ately took the road to Madrid. 

Charlotte. In Spain, is it not, father f 

Father. Undoubtedly. But 'fearful that 
his proposals should be rejected by the court 
of Spain, he sent his brother Bartholomew, 
who was entirely acquainted with his whole 
plan, to England, to see what could be ob- 
tained there in his favour. 
• Ferdinand, surnamed the Catholic, at that 



COLUMBUS. 



25 



period reigned in Spain. He was of a sus- 
picious and circumspect temper, consequently- 
very cautious of entering into any expedition, 
the success of which he regarded as the 
least doubtful. His queen, Isabella, was of a 
more enterprizing temper, but she depended 
entirely upon her husband, and entered into 
no arrangements whatever without his ap- 
probation ; — added to this, unfortunately for 
Columbus, the King of Spain was at that 
time engaged in a war with the last King of 
the Moors, ^ who had established his empire 
in Granada, a province in Spain. 

Ferdinand and Isabella, notwithstanding 
their circumstances, received Columbus with 
distinguished kindness, and listened to his 
plan with great attention ; but, before they 
returned a decisive answer, they laid his pro- 
ject before some counsellors, who, unfortu- 
nately, were not sufficiently enlightened to 
comprehend it, and therefore made the most 
absurd objections. They maintained that 
the sea between Europe and India was so ex- 
tensive, that, even granting he met with the 

* The Moors were a people that, from Arabia, had formed 
themselves a settlement in the upper part of Africa, from 
whence thoy passed into Spain, the greater part of which they 
subdued 5 but the original inhabitants, having at length made 
head against them, succeeded, after a long and obstinate con- 
test, in forcing them to evacuate Spain and retire to Africa. 

3 



26 COETJMBUS. 

most favourable voyage, it would take at least 
three years to reach the nearest continent. 
Another rejected his plan, upon account of 
the rotundity of the earth, saying, that if he 
sailed constantly towards the west, it would 
be a continued descent ; in which case, when 
he wished toTreturn, he must ascend, which 
he would find impossible. Others were im- 
pertinent enough to ask him, if he thought 
himself wiser than the millions of men who 
had existed before him ; or whether, if there 
were really a continent on the other side of 
the globe, he could suppose it would have re- 
mained unknown for so many ages ? 

Columbus had occasion for all his perseve- 
rance to bear, with equanimity, the ignorance 
and pride of his judges. He, however, sup- 
ported this examination with a calmness worthy 
of admiration, rei)lying to the most ridiculous 
objections with respect. He, however, obtain- 
ed but little advantage from this praise-worthy 
conduct ; for, after having thrown away five 
years, in endeavouring to convince those idiots 
that his plan was practicable, he had the mor- 
tification to learn that it had been represented, 
in the most unfavourable light, to the king, 
who, in consequence, had declared that, dur- 
ing the continuance of the war with the 
Moors, he could not think of any enterprize 
whatever. 



COLUMBUS. 27 

You may easily conceive, my dear chil- 
dren, the vexation of poor Columbus, thus a 
second time disappointed in his dearest hopes. 
It was indeed great, but his fortitude was yet 
greater ; and, far from relinquishing his en- 
terprize, he immediately applied to two Span- 
ish dukes, who were sufficiently rich to have 
fitted out a small fleet to send on these re- 
searches, but these noblemen wanted either 
confidence in Columbus, or courage to risk 
the undertaking, and he again met with a 
refusal. 

Henry. Really, father, it is quite vexatious 
to hear how this great man was repulsed in 
all his applications. 

John. 1 am astonished that he was not so 
entirely disheartened as totally to relinquish 
the undertaking. 

Father. Had he acted thus, it would have 
proved that he did not in reality possess those 
qualifications that so eminently distinguished 
him. Noble and elevated spirits, my dear 
children, are not to be deterred by any diffi- 
culty, however great, from the path that leads 
to honour. The coldness, or even the in- 
gratitude of their brethren may grieve and 
vex them, but cannot discourage or reduce 
them to inaction. Whatever disappointment 
they may experience, whatever obstacles may 
oppose them, their minds still remain fixed on 



28 



COLUMBUS. 



the object they have resolved to attain. Such 
is the conduct that will ever distinguish the 
man whose character is truly great and vir- 
tuous. Such was the hero, whose history I 
now relate to you ; his noble spirit rose above 
the grief he experienced on having his excel- 
lent plan disdained, and himself treated with 
ingratitude, and he formed the resolution of 
going to England, having never received any 
information respecting his brother since his 
departure. 

Bartholomew had the misfortune in his 
passage to fall into the hands of pirates, and to 
be made a slave, from which bondage he was 
not released for many years ; w^hen he has- 
tened to England, but in so deplorable a sit- 
uation, that he was obliged to design geo- 
graphical charts, in order to procure himself 
some clothes, before he could appear at court 
to make his offer. 

Columbus had a son named Diego, whom 
he tenderly loved ; and being unwilling to 
quit Spain without seeing him, he paid a visit 
to the convent where he was placed. Here 
he formed an acquaintance with the superior 
of the institution, named Perez, w4io was a 
man of great judgment and information ; he 
readily comprehended the extent and solidity 
of the plan that had been before condemned 
as ridiculous, and, being in great estimation 



COLUMBUS. 



29 



with the queen, persuaded Columbus to defer 
his departure until he could receive an answer 
to a letter he wrote to that princess.* 

Columbus agreed willingly to this request, 
— when Perez represented, in his address to 
the queen, the whole scheme in such proper 
and forcible colours, that Columbus was sent 
for back to court, and received by Isabella 
with distinguished kindness ; he also received 
the congratulations of his friends on his suc- 
cess, when once more his hopes were destroy- 
ed by the pusillanimous timidity of the king. 

Ferdinand again consulted the same per- 
sons that he had before appointed to judge the 

* According to the testimony of Garcia Fernandez, a phy- 
sician, resident at Pales in Andalusia^ " a stranger, on foot, 
accompanied by a small boy, stopped one day at the gate of 
the convent near that place, and asked of the porter a little bread 
and water for his child. While receiving this humble re- 
freshment, the prior of the convent, friar Juan Perez de Mar- 
chena, happening to pass, was struck with the appearance of 
the stranger, and observing from his air and accent that he was 
a foreigner, entered into conversation with him, and soon 
learnt the particulars of his story. This stranger was Colum- 
bus, accompanied by his young son Diego. The zeal of 
this worthy friar, thus early enkindled, never cooled, and 
many years afterwards, in the day of his success, Columbus 
looks back, through the brilliant crowd of courtiers, prelates, 
and philosophers, who claimed the merit of having patronized 
his enterprize, and points to this modest friar, as one who had 
been most effectually its friend." — Irvik«. 

3* 



30 COLUMBUS. 

proposition of Columbus ; and as they still 
adhered to their first opinion, the king abso- 
lutely refused to enter into it, and so far in- 
fluenced the queen, that she was necessitated 
to break off the engagement she had com- 
menced. 

Once more, my children, consider this 
great character ; — disdained, his well-digest- 
ed plan derided, and himself a butt for the 
raillery of the sycophant courtiers, who con- 
sidered his rising fortune with an envious eye. 
Overwhelmed with such repeated vexations, 
Columbus must have given way to his just in- 
dignation, had not his mind been superior to 
all the adversity he had so many years been 
obliged to struggle with. 

Charlotte. My dear father, what are syc- 
ophant courtiers ? 

Father. In the courts of kings and prin- 
ces, as in the society of other wealthy men, 
are ever to be found a set of worthless char- 
acters, who will flatter and cringe to their su- 
periors, and calumniate and ridicule men of 
understanding or virtue, that have the misfor- 
tune to be under their displeasure. It is such 
wretches as these, my child, that I name 
sycophants. 

Columbus now prepared for what appeared 
to him the last r"fesource, which was, to offer to 
the King of England a part of the world 



COLUMBUS. 31 

which three states had alread}^ imprudently- 
rejected. While he was preparing for this 
voyage, the Spaniards were successful in re- 
ducing the province of Granada, which en- 
tirely destroyed the power of the Moors in 
Spain. Ferdinand and Isabella were delight- 
ed with this victory, as it rendered them mas- 
ters of all Spain ; and as the human heart 
when open to joy is most inclined to good 
actions, two of Columbus's friends, whose 
names ought to be respectable to posterity, 
again ventured at this fortunate period to re- 
mind the queen of his project. 

Frederic. Pray, what were their names ? 

Father. The one was called Quintanilla, 
the other Santangelo. Both represented the 
attempt of Columbus with such strength of 
reasoning, that at length the king and queen 
could no longer resist giving it their sanction. 

A messenger was immediately sent after 
Columbus, who was already on his journey ; 
he fortunately overtook him, and re-conduct- 
ed him to the court, where the queen was 
expecting him with impatience. His vexa- 
tions and repeated disappointments were soon 
forgotten, and he presented to the queen the 
conditions upon which he was willing to en- 
counter all the hazards of the sea, to discover 
and explore unknown lands. The proposals 
were accepted, and Columbus, after so many 



32 



COLUMBUS. 



tedious atteaipts, considered himself at the 
height of his wishes. 

Ml the children testify their pleasure, ex- 
claiming, 1 am glad of it ! — How charming ! 
— His hopes will be realized ! 

Charles. Did he immediately depart, fa- 
ther ? 

Father. That information I shall reserve 
until to-morrow. 

*^^U. Oh, to-morrow ! To-morrow is a 
long time, father ; but we must submit. 



DIALOGUE III. 

Peter. Make haste, dear father ! I do so 
long for Columbus to set sail ! I am afraid 
some new obstacle to his departure will arise. 

Father. Do not be uneasy, my dear boy. 
Columbus has now taken his measures so 
well, that your fears are groundless. He is 
in possession of an act signed by the king and 
queen, in which among other things it is de- 
creed, that he shall be created viceroy of the 
countries he shall discover, and that this dig- 
nity shall be transferable to his descendants 
to the latest generations ; nay more, that he 



COLUMBUS. OO 

and all his posterity shall have a tenth part of 
the revenue which the newly discovered 
countries shall bring annually to the crown of 
Spain. 

Maihias. Ah, ha ! then he is going to 
be rich. 

John. I fear he has first a great deal to 
suffer. 

Father, You are right, John ; but let us 
proceed. The vessels destined to this enter- 
prize were now fitted out with the utmost ex- 
pedition ; but they were so small, and so ill 
constructed, that no one but Columbus would 
have had courage to attempt in them the dan- 
gers of a sea totally unknown, the rocks and 
quicksands of which had not yet been pointed 
out on any chart. This little squadron con- 
sisted of the Santa Maria, on board of which 
Columbus hoisted his flag, the Pinta, and the 
Nina ; the two last being little more than large 
shallops or boats. They were furnished with 
provisions for twelve months, and the crew 
that was to accompany Columbus in this per- 
ilous expedition did not exceed ninety men. 
The whole expence of the armament amount- 
ed only to twenty-four thousand rix dollars ; 
a sum which appeared to the court of Spain 
so immense, that the enterprize would have 
been given up, if Columbus had not engaged 
to furnish an eighth part, in consideration of 



34 



COLUMBUS. 



which, he also stipulated for himself an eighth 
part; of the profit arising from the voyage. 

Henry. Was the court of Spain then so 
poor as to make an object of so moderate a 
sum ^ 

Father. In those days, my dear Henry, 
five crowns were equal in value to an hun- 
dred now; money was then obtained with 
greater difficulty, and business carried on 
more by an exchange of micrchandize. If, 
besides, you reflect that their treasures had 
been exhausted by a long war which Spain 
had supported against the Moors, and but re- 
cently concluded, you will easily account for 
what surprizes you. But to continue,— 
Every thing prepared, imagine that you see 
the little fleet with which the brave Columbus 
is* to sail, at anchor in the road of Palos, a 
small maritime town in Andalusia. 

JVicholas. I already see them v/eigh an- 
chor and set sail. 

Father. Not in such haste, Nicholas. 
Columbus was not only a brave man and skil- 
ful navigator ; but a pious Christian ; he knew 
the protection of that great Being, who is 
equally Lord of the ocean and of the whole 
universe, was necessary to the success of his 
undertaking, and that it was his duty to im- 
plore it. When all therefore was ready for 
his departere, he repaired in procession with 



COLUMBUS. ' 35 

the companions of his voyage to a convent 
near the city ; there with the warmest devo- 
tion he offered up his prayers, and implored 
the protection of tlie Divine Being on an en- 
lerprize,"one great ohject of which was to dif- 
fuse among those remote and savage nations 
into which it should please his Divine Provi- 
dence to conduct him, the knowledge and 
w^orship of the true God. His example was 
followed by the rest ; after which, confident 
in the protection of the Almighty, they re- 
turned to the port, and the next morning, be- 
ing the 3d of August, 1492, set sail, amidst 
the blessings and acclamations of numerous 
spectators. 

The Children. Bravo ! a good voyage to 
them. Go on, dear father. 

Father. Agreeably to his plan, Columbus 
steered directly for the Canary Isles ; but the 
next day an accident happened which, though 
in itself trifling, would have put a stop to the 
enterprize, had Columbus been as weak and 
superstitious as his companions. The helm 
of the Pinta broke ; an accident purposely 
contrived, it is supposed, by the pilot, who 
repented having engaged in so dangerous a 
voyage, and hoped to oblige Columbus to 
return. 

Frederic. Was the misfortune then ir- 
remediable ? 



36 - COLUMBUS. 

Father, The helm was repaired, but the 
crew considered the accident as a presage of 
the ill success of the voyage. " We are lost," 
they exclaimed, " if we do not immediately 
return !" " Why so f" asked Columbus. 
" Does not Heaven," they replied, " show 
clearly by the accident that has happened to 
the helm, the misfortunes that will attend us if 
we persist in this rash enterprize ?" 

*' Really," replied Columbus, " I cannot 
conceive why you should infer that God, by 
this trifling accident, announces any future 
misfortune ; all that I can understand from a 
broken helm is simply, that it must be re- 
paired." 

" The admiral is an Athiest !" whisper- 
ed the sai"lors, " he does not believe in 
omens !" 

Columbus, who suspected what passed in 
their minds, thought it necessary to wean 
them from a superstition that in thousand oth- 
er instances might again intimidate them. 
He therefore entered at large upon the sub- 
ject, and showed them the folly of believing 
any event a presage of our future destiny, 
which God has never promised to reveal to 
us by signs. " His wisdom and goodness," 
said he, " are on the contrary conspicuous 
in concealing it, and it is equally weak and 
unavaihng to endeavour to develope it by ac- 



COLUMBUS. 37 

cidents with which it has no connection. All 
that a wise and truly religious man has to do 
is, conscientiously to fulfil the duties of his 
station, and to rest with trust and confidence 
in the protection of Providence, without per- 
plexing himself concerning the future. May 
our actions, my comrades, during our voyage, 
be regulated by this maxim !" If Columbus 
did not by these arguments entirely dissipate 
the fears of his companions, he at least con- 
siderably weakened them, and they continued 
their course, without the intervention of any 
accident, to the Island of Gomera, one of the 
Canaries, where they cast anchor. 

These islands (seven in number) were 
formerly known by the name of the Fortu- 
nate Islands, they are situated from 27® 30' to 
29° 30' north lat. and from 12<» to 21 *» west 
Ion. at the distance of five hundred miles from 
the coast of Spain, and one hundred from the 
continent of Africa. In the year 1344, the 
court of Rome gave the property of them to 
a prince of the royal house of Castile, but 
they were not finally subjugated to Spain un- 
til 1496. Their names are Canaria, Palma, 
TenerifF, Ferro, Forteventura, Lancerota, 
and Gomera. They, in general, enjoy the 
advantage of a serene sky, the heat though 
excessive on the coast, is agreeably temper- 
ate upon those situations that are a little ele- 
4 



38 



COLUMBUS. 



vated, and upon the mountains the cold is as 
much complained of, as the heat on the coast ; 
their tops are covered with snow the greater 
part of the year. 

TenerifF is known by its volcanos, and by a 
mountain called the Peak of TenerifF in the 
form of a sugar loaf. It is about fifteen miles 
in circumference, and according to Dr. Sprat, 
Bishop of Rochester, whose account was pub- 
lished in the Philosophical Transactions, it is 
nearly three miles perpendicular. Some- 
times this mountain throws out such a quan- 
tity of sulphur and lava as to convert the rich- 
est lands into barren deserts. 

The superior tribunal of justice is in the 
island particularly called Canary, but TenerifF 
is considered as the capital ; it is the resi- 
dence of the Goveraor General, and is the 
richest and most populous of the whole. 

After having repaired their vessels and 
taken on board refreshments, they weighed 
anchor, the .6th of September, and with beat- 
ing hearts launched into the great western 
ocean, which had as yet been unexplored by 
any vessel. The first day after their de- 
parturCj their progress was inconsiderable for 
want of wind, and it was not till the third day 
that they lost sight of the Canaries. Now 
behold, my children, the attention of the crew 
solely and invariably fixed on Columbus, who 
from this day will appear with a dignity of 



COLUMBUS. 39 

character that cannot fail of inspiring you 
with respect and love. The courage of the 
crew disappeared with the sight of land ; as 
if ignorant till now of the greatness of the en- 
terprize they had undertaken ; they wept, 
beat their breasts, and burst into the most 
passionate lanaentations, as men who were 
conducted to inevitable destruction. Co- 
lumbus alone, like a rock beaten by the waves, 
preserved his usual coolness and intrepidity, 
showing such tranquillity of mind, and so 
firm a confidence in the happy issue of his en- 
terprize, that even the most timid drew cour- 
age from his presence. He first made them 
ashamed of their pusillanimity, and then, 
touching on the recompense which awaited 
them on their return, painted in such Hvely 
colours the riches and glory they were about 
to acquire, that their courage revived, and 
they promised to follow wherever he should 
conduct them. This specimen of their weak- 
ness demonstrated to Columbus the scenes he 
was to expect in future. From this period 
he passed the greatest part of his time upon 
deck, either with the sounding-line in his 
hand, or the instrument used for making as- 
tronomical observations. 

Frederic. What instruments are those, 
my dear father ? 

Father. The sounding-line is a large 
piece of lead fastened to the end of a long 



40 COLUMBUS. 

cord, which the sailors throw into the sea, 
lengthening it as it descends. When the 
lead touches the bottom, it is seen by the 
length of the hne, that is to say, as much of 
it as has been wetted, what is the depth of the 
sea in the place where it is let down. Do 
you comprehend, Frederic f 

Frederic. Yes, my dear father ; but why 
do they take the trouble of measuring the 
depth of the sea ? 

Father. Cannot you yourself guess ? — 
Reflect a moment. 

Frederic, Ah ! I have it. If the water 
were not deep enough, the ship would run 
aground, and then good bye to it. For this 
reason, I suppose, they are obliged to make 
use of the sounding-line ? 

Father. You see that by a little reflection 
we can ourselves discover many things that 
we wish to know ; but I suppose you must 
also have some account of the astronomical 
instrument I spoke of ? 

Frederic. 1 was just going to ask for it, 
my dear father. 

Father. First answer me a question I am 
going to ask you. When you go from Ham- 
burgh to Wandsbeck, can you tell on the way 
how much ground you have passed over f 

Frederic. Certainly I can ; one need not 
be a conjuror to know that. 

Father. How do you know it ^ 



COLUMBUS. 



41 



Frederic. Oh, it is only necessary to 
count the steps, or to look behind one. 

Father. You are right ; but is it the same, 
Frederic, with navigators when out at sea, 
w^iere they can perceive only sky and wa- 
ter ? Is it equally easy for them to discover 
the place where they are, and how many 
leagues they have sailed ? 

Frederic. Oh no, father ; that is quite 
another thing. 

Father. Yet you conceive that this kaow- 
ledge is of the utmost importance to them f 

Frederic. Undoubtedly ; otherwise, how 
could they steer to the place where they in- 
tended to land f 

Father. You are very right ; — and what 
means do you imagine they employ to obtain 
this information ? 

Frederic. Really, father, I am ignorant. 

Father. Follow me into the great hall, 
and 1 will show you. (They retire into the 
hall.) Now, Frederic, examine the ceiling 
of this apartment with the most exact atten- 
tion, and observe the ornaments, 

Frederic. I have observed every thing. 

Father. Now, then, I shall tie a bandage 
over your eyes, and lead you throughout this 
spacious apartment, making you turn in va- 
rious directions so often, that you shall ab- 
solutely not know in what part of the hall you 
4* 



42 COLUMBUS. 

are. (The father blindfolds him, and does as 
he proposes.) Now throw your head back in 
such a manner, that when I take off the ban- 
dage you may see nothing but the ceiling. 
That is well. Now — (taking the bandage 
from his eyes) — look up, and teltTne in what 
corner of the hall you are. 

Frederic, In that near the organ. 

Father. From what do you judge ? 

Frederic. From the plaster rose which I 
took particular notice of before. 

Father.. You discover, then, by the con- 
templation of the ceiling, in what part of the 
hall you are now ; do you not think that nav- 
igators can by a similar mode discover their 
situation r 

Frederic. Why, yes ; they need only 
look at the sky as I have done at the ceiling, 
and I think the stars would point out to them 
the place where they are. 

Father. Right. But, my dear boy, the 
sky is so high, that the star which is now ver- 
tical above our heads, will appear to be so 
when we have sailed several leagues ; to 
which it must also be added, that the stars do 
not continue always in the same place, but on 
the contrary, hke the sun and moon, appear 
sometimes on one side of the heavens, some- 
times on the other. You see, therefore, that 
our course cannot be so exactly regulatec^ by 
the stars as yours has been by the ceiling. 



COLUMBUS. 43 

For a sure guide, recourse must be had to 
certain ingenious mathematical instruments ; 
to one especially, by the help of which the 
exact position of the stars may be ascertained, 
with their distances from each other. This is 
the instrument of which 1 spoke. 

Frederic. It must be curiously constructed. 

Father. At present it is sufficient to ex- 
plain its use. We will now return to Colum- 
bus. The greater part of his time was spent 
upon deck either in making observations rela- 
tive to the depth of the sea, and the course of 
the vessel, or in giving the necessary orders 
to his men. From these arduous cares he al- 
lowed himself but few hours of repose, but 
with all preserved an air of perfect serenity 
and confidence ; he rejected every indul- 
gence that his men could not partake, and 
was only distinguished from the lowest by the 
superiority of his knowledge, and that unshak- 
en fortitude by which he gave to the timid a 
courage the most powerful eloquence would 
have failed to inspire. Such a man was alone 
capable of executing an enterprize, which,, 
with less courage, knowledge, and skill in 
managing the hearts of others, had inevitably 
failed. But enough for to-day ; to-morrow 
we will continue the course of our adven- 
turers» 



44 



DIALOGUE IV. 

Father. Come hither, my children ; before 
I proceed with the history of Columbus, I have 
something to say that requires your attention. 
The Children, with eagerness. Dear fa- 
ther, what is it ^ 

Father. In the course of my history I 
must sometimes unavoidably speak of latitude 
and longitude ; I wish therefore that you 
should clearly comprehend what is meant by 
those terms. 

John. You explained them, dear father, 
when we first began to study geography. 

Henry. Yes ; — it is a long time since, — 
nearly two years. 

Father. I am delighted to hear you are 
already informed : one of you sage elders will 
be able to take my place, and give the neces- 
sary explanations to the little ones, who are 
yet unacquainted with the subject. 

Henry. Certainly we can ; but we must 
first fetch the globe. 

Father. I think we can dispense with it ; 
here is a little map of the world which will 
answer the purpose without farther trouble. 
And now which of you will be father .'* 

All. I! I! I! 

Father. Since you all offer your service, 
I must needs make a choice ; you, therefore, 
Henry, who are the eldest, come hither ; and 



COLUMBUS. 



45 



you, John, stand next, to see that he dis- 
charges his office properly. Should your as- 
sistance be necessary, you will be at hand 
to give it. 

Henry, personating his father. Come 
hither, children ; come hither, Charlotte and 
Frederic, be attentive, I am going to teach 
you what we call the latitude and longitude 
of our globe. 

Mother. A very consequential beginning, 
indeed ! 

Henry. Nay, mother, I am now the fath- 
er, I ought, therefore, to take upon me a lit- 
tle. So observe, children, this little drawing 
represents the half of our earth. 




46 COLUMBUS. 

The earth, as you have already heard, is 
round. 

Charlotte. Oh, I know how it is proved 
to be round ; it is because its shadow is round 
and because 

Henry. Not so fast, nny httle girl ; what 
you are going to say is not immediately ne- 
cessary to our subject. It is enough for you 
simply to know that the earth is round like a 
ball, but rugged, from the mountains and hol- 
lows on its surface. This map represents 
one side of it. 

Frederic. Now do, Henry, go on ; we 
know this already. 

Henry. On this ball of earth are two 
points, one precisely opposite the other, up- 
on which the earth continually turns. In this 
map before us they are marked by the figures 
I, 2. These two points are called the Poles 
of the Earth ; that which is at the top has 
exactly over it a star called the North Star, 
for which reason geographers have given it 
the name of the North Pole, that opposite 
is called the South Pole. Do you compre- 
hend ^ 

Charlotte. To be sure I do ; the highest 
point is called the North Pole, and the lowest 
the South Pole. 

Henry. Excellently well explained, dear 
girl. Now look again at the figure ; in the 
middle of the ball, the half of which only is 



COLUMBUS. ' 47 

represented, is a line or circle which sepa- 
rates it into two equal parts. It is marked 
A and B. 

Frederic. But is there in reality such a 
line upon our globe ? 

Henry. No, my dear Frederic ; our 
learned men have only imagined such a line 
to extend round our earth. 

Charlotte. But, for what reason ^ 

Henry. Patience, and you will presently 
comprehend ; let me now tell you, that this 
line is called the equator. 

Charlotte. The equator ? 

Henry. Yes, because we not only by 
means of it divide the earth into two equal 
parts, but, when the sun is immediately over 
it the days and nights are equal. So much 
for the signification of the word. The space 
traced round the globe by the line from A to 
B on the other side, is called the longitude of 
the earth. Do you comprehend ? 

Both. Perfectly. 

Henry. The first point then is cleared ; 
it now remains to explain to you what is 
meant by the earth's latitude. Observe those 
lines that are drawn from the North to the 
South Pole. 

The Children, (tracing them on the map.) 
Here they are ! 

Henry. They mark the latitude of the 
earth, and are called meridians. 



48 COLUMBUS. 

Frederic, Why meridians ? 

Henry. Because it is noon at the same 
time at all those places over which the same 
meridian is drawn, which happens precisely 
when the sun is opposite to that line. Do 
you understand, Charlotte f 

Charlotte. 1 do, Mr Professor. 

Hen?'y. One of those meridians which 
you see drawn here in such numbers is called 
the first meridian. In the figure before us it 
is something thicker than the rest, and is di- 
vided into a number of little sections ; now 
the longitude of a place is nothing more ttian 
its distance from the first meridian, east or 
west ; the latitude, on the contrary, is its dis- 
tance from the equator, north or south. 

The Children. We understand this per- 
fectly. 

Henry. In our little planisphere I observ- 
ed the figure of a ship. Now, should I in- 
quire in what longitude it is, what would you 
understand by my question :* 

Charlotte. Why — how far it is from the 
first meridian, to be sure. 

Henry. That is to say, measuring con- 
stantly towards the west to the first meridian; 
but should 1 further inquire in what latitude 
this ship is, what then, Frederic, should you 
understand by my question f 

Frederic. That you wished to know how 
far it was from the equator. 



COLVMBUS. 49 

Henry. Perfectly right ; I am very well 
satisfied with your attention. 

Father. I also am pleased with your ex- 
planations. Come, Frederic and Charlotte, 
give your little father a kiss for so well in- 
structing you ; I shall give him one as a re- 
ward for doing such honour to my office. 
(Embraces him.) 

Johri. But he has forgotten, father, that 
the equator and meridian are divided into 
degrees. 

Father. Well, then, take his place, and 
see if you can clear up this point. 

John. I will try, father. Now observe, 
Charlotte, the equator and the first meridian 
are divided into equal distances by a number 
of small strokes, whicli form so many divisions. 
Do you understand f 

Frederic and Charlotte. Perfectly. Now, 
go on. 

John. Each of these divisions is called a 
degree, and comprehends the space of fifteen 
German miles, or sixty-nine English miles 
and a half. The equator contains three hun- 
dred and sixty of those degrees, and a merid- 
ian, from one pole to another, one hundred 
and eighty. Thus, for example, when we 
say such or such a place is in the three 
hundred and thirtieth degree of longitude, we 
mean, that ia reckoniog the degrees of the 
5 



50 



COLUMBUS. 



e(][uator, from the given place westward to the 
first meridian, we find three hundred and 
thirty degrees ; and if to this we add that 
this same place is in the eighth degree of lati- 
tude, we mean no more than that in counting 
the degrees of the first meridian, from the 
equator, we find eight. I 

Father. Bravo ! John merits a reward 
as well as his brother ; give him a kiss, my 
children, and here is mine. (Embracing 
him.) 

John. It is reward gained at little ex- 
pense, father. 

Father. Now, children, for example, let 
us observe in what degree of latitude and lon- 
gitude the ship we have spoken of is placed. 
We must count the degrees of the equator to- 
wards the west, from the express point in 
which the ship is, to the first meridian. But 
as the figure represents only half of the earth, 
we cannot number them entirely round it. 
We must therefore rely on the authority of 
the person who made the draft, and who, as 
you see, has placed under the ship the num- 
ber 340, the degree of its longitude ; but now 
as to its latitude, nothing prevents our num- 
bering the degrees of the first meridian, and 
seeing how far it is from the equator, one, 
two, three, four, five. The ship you see, my 
children, is in the fifth degree of latitude. 
Have I explained it clearly ^ 



COLUMBUS* 51 

Charlotte and Frederic. Oh ! yes, father ; 
we understand it perfectly. 

Father. I am glad of it ; for, were you 
ignorant in this point, when I shall tell you 
that Columbus, with his vessel, found himself 
in surh or such a degree of latitude or longi- 
tude, you would be at a loss to understand 
my meaning. One thing yet remains to be 
observed, before I resume the thread of my 
story ; and that is, that when the latitude of 
the earth, above the equator, towards the 
north pole is spoken of, it is called north lati- 
tude, to distinguish it from that which is be- 
low the equator towards the south pole, which 
is called south latitude. 1 will now return 
to Columbus. 

John. I am rejoiced to hear it. 

Father. The second day of his departure 
from the Canaries, he made but eighteen 
leagues, for want of wind, the weather being 
perfectly calm 5 but foreseeing that the length 
of the voyage alone would intimidate his com- 
panions, he resolved to make use of an inno- 
cent stratagem, and conceal from them the 
progress they every day made ; he therefore 
persuaded them that they had as yet sailed 
but fifteen leagues. 

On the twelfth of September, the sixth day 
of their navigation, they found themselves in 
the 350th degree of longitude ; reckoning 
from the isle of Ferro, one of the Canaries, 



53 COLUMBUS. 

or, which is the same, 150 miles from this 
island westward, and in the same latitude. 
Here they perceived the trunk of a large tree, 
which had apparently been floating a long 
time. The sailors took it for the harbinger of 
land, which they imagined near ; and this 
idea, though it proved fallacious, contributed, 
in a great measure, to calm their apprehen- 
sions. But their confidence was of short 
continuance ; for, scarcely had they proceed- 
ed fifty leagues farther, when they discovered 
a phenomenon which struck the whole crew 
with consternation ; even Columbus himself 
was not unmoved. 

Henry. What could it be. 

John. Since Columbus himself begins to 
fear, there is reason indeed to fear for him. 

Fatfier. To fear, John, he was a stranger ; 
though what he saw might surprize, it could 
not intimidate him. 

Charlotte and Frederic. Now do, dear 
father, go on ; I do so long to hear. 

Father. I need not tell you, Henry and 
John, that the chief guide of navigators is the 
magnetic needle, from its having the singular 
property of pointing invariably to the north. 
By this the mariners can distinguish day and 
night, the four cardinal points of the world, 
and steer in any direction. Till now the 
needle had been found, a safe and sure direc- 
tor, and to have explored so long and un-"^ 



COLUMBUS. 53 

known a tract without it, would have been the' 
height of folly and temerity. What then must 
have been the astonishment of Columbus, and 
the terror of his pusillanimous companions, to 
perceive, on a sudden, that the needle did 
not, as usual, point immediately to the polar 
star, but declined a whole degree towards the 
west ! Come hither, Charlotte and Freder- 
ic, here is a mariner's compass, which 1 have 
brought, to render the thing more evident. 

Observe now, this needle is in its usual po- 
sition, that is to say, turned directly to that 
part of the heavens on which, at night, the 
polar star is seen. Now it happened, at the 
time of which I speak, that the needle inclined 
a whole degree of those you see marked on 
the box more to the left, or towards the west. 
This was a phenomenon of which neither Co- 
lumbus nor any other navigator had yet had 
any experience ; no wonder then if it aston- 
ished him. 

Peter. And from whence, father, did the 
variation arise ? 

Father. It is to this day, Peter, as diffi- 
cult for us to account for it, as it was then for 
Columbus ; though since his time the same 
declination has been repeatedly observed, and 
tables of the places in which it usually hap- 
pens have been formed. This, my dear chil- 
dren, is not the only one of Nature's secrets 
5* 



54 COLUMBUS. 

which remains yet to be discovered ; and it 
should encourage you to a vigorous cuhiva- 
tion of your talents, since we know not if 
Providence may not have reserved for one of 
you the glory of unveiling a mystery whicb 
has hitherto been concealed from every hu~ 
man eye. 

JVicholas. When I have gained more know-^ 
ledge I shall endeavour to penetrate it. 

JVlathias. And so shall I. 

All, And I — and I. 

Father, Well, and good ; but if you ex- 
pect your efforts to succeed, you must first 
study physics and the mathematics, both 
which I shall endeavour to render easy to you. 
But to return. The companions of Colum- 
bus were, as I have said, in the greatest per- 
plexity. The space which they had already 
traversed appeared immense, though their 
commander, in the calculation he laid before 
them, had suppressed a full third. Imagining 
that Nature herself was deviating from her 
course, they trembled at the idea that their 
only guide, the needle, would no longer di- 
rect them. Columbus, however, inexhausti- 
ble in his resources, soon suggested for this un- 
expected event, a plausible reason, which sat- 
isfied the ignorance of his companions, re-ani- 
mated their hopes, and encouraged them ta 
proceed in thuir voyage ; and now behold them: 
withia the circle where the trade winds blow*. 



COLUMBUS. 55 

Frederic. The trade winds ? 

Father. You, without doubt, know what 
is meant by the tropics f 

Ferdinand. Oh yes, father ; they are the 
lines which geographers imagine to be drawn 
on eacli side of the equator quite round the 
earth ; when the sun is over them, our days 
and nights are the shortest or the longest. 

Father. Your explanation is just ; you 
may see these two circles upon our little fig- 
ure ; the upper one is marked C D, and the 
under one E F. Now, in tlie space between 
the tropics the winds are observed to blow 
constantly one way ; that is to say, from east 
to west. These are called the trade winds. 
This singularity, which is now generally 
known, was not discovered before the time of 
Columbus, no opportunity having occurred for 
making the observation. A new source of 
uneasiness was therefore opened to our navi- 
gators, when they perceived their vessels 
driven constantly in a right line from east to 
west. " If this easterly wind," said they 
among themselves, " blows here constantly, 
how will it ever be possible for us to retern to 
our own country?" — a thought which filled 
them with inexpressible terror. Unfortunate- 
ly^ few days after, a new phenomenon in- 
creased their apprehensions. They on a 
sudden observed the ocean covered as far as 
they could see with green weeds, which gave 



66 COLUMBtS. 

it the appearance of an immense meadow, 
and they were even in some places so thick as 
to obstruct the course of tlie vessels. This 
was a new cause of uneasiness. " What will 
become of us .'^" said they. " We are cer- 
tainly arrived at the limit of all navigable seas. 
Beneath these weeds are doubtless rocks and 
shallows, on which our vessels, at the moment 
we least expect it, will be dashed in pieces. 
What could we expect in suffering ourselves 
to be seduced into this rash, extravagant un- 
dertaking .^" 

The moment was critical, but the conrage 
and prudence of Columbus did not forsake 
him. " Are you not," said he, " extremely 
weak, to alarm yourselves at an appearance 
that ought to strengthen the hope that we are 
on the brink of our wishes f Do weeds grow 
in the midst of the sea ? It is rather proba- 
ble that we are near some continent, from the 
shores of which those weeds proceed." This 
happy suggestion re-animated the whole 
crew ; and as at the same time they perceived 
different birds, which bent their flight from, 
the west, hope and joy succeeded terror and' 
dismay, and they cheerfully continued theiir 
course, in the expectation of soon seeing their 
eaterprize crowned with the happiest success^ 



57 



DIALOGUE V. 

Christian. Will not Columbus, my dear 
father, soon discover the country of which he 
is in pursuit ? 

Father. He has yet many difficulties to 
encounter. The hope to which the weeds 
and birds gave birth soon vanished ; and 
though they had sailed a space of seven hun- 
dred and seventy marine leagues, no land yet 
appeared. Fortunately no one in the three 
ships, except Columbus, was able to calculate 
the length of their course ; he therefore con- 
cealed from them a considerable part, per- 
suading them that they had sailed but five 
hundred and eiglity leagues. Even this dis- 
tance from their country appeared immense, 
and they again broke into murmurs and la- 
mentations. One while they bewailed the 
facility with which they had listened to the 
vain protestation of Columbus ; another, they 
accused their queen of cruelty in exposing the 
lives of so many of her faithful subjects, in the 
execution of an enterprize, the success of 
which was as vague and uncertain, as the at- 
tempt was rash and presumptuous. They 
conceived they had already showed sufficient 
courage to exculpate ihem from the charge of 
cowardice, should they now think it necessary 



68 COLUMBUS. 

to consider only their own preservation. At 
length all agreed in maintaining that it was 
time to return, supposing the fixed east wind 
did not render it impossible, and that it was 
necessary to oblige the admiral to give up his 
vain projects. The most audacious of the 
malcontents were of opinion, that at once to 
free themselves from so dangerous a seducer, 
it were best, without more ceremony, to throw 
him overboard ; persuaded that on their re- 
turn to Spain little inquiry would be made in- 
to the deaih of a wretched schemer, whose 
projects had been attended with so little 
success. 

Columbus, though sensible of the danger 
which threatened him, still preserved his in- 
trepidity. Convinced of the justness and so- 
lidity of his plan, and confident in the pro- 
tection of the Divine Being, he appeared be- 
fore the mutineers with the calnmess of a man 
who had reason to be satisfied with the pro- 
gress of his enterprize ; and, after having re- 
proached them mildly with their childish tim- 
idity, had recourse to all those means with 
which a knowledge of mankind and a manly 
eloquence furnished him, to revive their 
drooping courage, and reduce them to obe- 
dience. Sometimes he recalled them to a 
sense of their duty by the most pathetic re- 
monstrances ; sometimes he assumed the air 
of a commander who is dictating to his men, 



COLUMBUS. 59 

threatening them at once with the indignation 
of the queen, and the most rigorous punish- 
ment should they dare halt so near the end of 
their glorious career. 

It is the privilege of great geniuses to mould 
at pleasure the hearts of ordinary men; and 
how enviahle would be the condition of hu- 
man nature, if, like Columbus, all who are 
endowed with distinguished talents would em- 
ploy them only in forwarding plans of public 
utility ! He had once more the satisfaction 
of recalling his mutinous comrades to reason, 
and Heaven itself seemed to second his en- 
deavoui's ; for the wind, which had till now 
continued in the east, shifted suddenly to the 
south-west, which satisfied the crew, by con- 
vincing them it was in tlieir power to return 
when they pleased. This the admiral point- 
ed out to them, and several other circum- 
stances concurring to strengthen the hope of 
an early discovery of land, they promised to 
return to their duty, and the voyage was con- 
tinued. At length the captain of the Pinta, 
which was foremost of the three vessels, one 
day lay-to, to inform the admiral that he 
thought he perceived land at the distance of 
about fifteen leagues to the north. At the 
word LAND every one yielded to the emo- 
tions of the most lively joy, and pressed the 
admiral to change his course, and steer di- 
rectly to that quarter whence it was descrrb- 



60 COLUMBUS. 

ed ; but Columbus, convinced that the cap- 
tain was deceived, without attending to the 
murmurs of his men, invariably pursued his 
plan of sailing to the west. 

JYicholas. But was there not a little ob- 
stinacy in this, father ? 

Father. How obstinacy ? 

JYicholas. Why could he not have indulg- 
ed his men with sailing those fifteen leagues 
to the north f 

Father. No, my dear boy, as he was con- 
vinced that this pretended discovery was a 
delusion, such an indulgence would have been 
inconsistent with his former prudence; for, 
had he yielded to their solicitations, they 
would have judged that he was not perfectly 
clear in his plan ; a suspicion that he had 
taken great pains to prevent, the confidence 
of his men being of the utmost importance to 
him. Besides, had they once found they 
could prevail upon him to alter his course, 
they would have renewed their importunities 
upon every fresh occasion. These reasons 
made him resolve, never, in the most trivial 
instance, to deviate from a plan he had so 
maturely digested, and upon which he found- 
ed the most sanguine expectations. The 
event proved the propriety of his conduct. 
The next day a quantity of sea fowl were 
perceived, which Columbus thinking not form- 
ed for long flights, was himself led into an er- 



COLUMBUS. 61 

ror, and took them for the forerunners of some 
neighbouring land. But no soundings could 
be found at two hundred fathoms, a circum- 
stance that appeared destructive to their 
hopes, as the depth of water commonly de- 
creases in proportion to its vicinity to the 
shore. The following evening some song- 
birds were observed to perch upon the ship's 
yard, where they continued all night, and at 
break of day directed their flight westward ; 
a tropic bird was also discovered soon after. 
Mathias. What is that, father f 
Father. It is a bird which inhabits that 
region of the earth which is between the two 
tropics. But soon one of the most singular 
spectacles which had yet appeared attracted 
their attention, — no less than a cloud of fly- 
ing fish, which approached, raised above the 
surface of the water. Several of them in 
their passage fell upon the deck, and were 
taken up by Columbus and his men, who ex- 
amined with curious attention the long fins 
which supported them in their flight. The 
same evening the sea was again covered with 
weeds ; an appearance which, being still con- 
sidered as a presage of land, again inspired 
the crew with the lively hope of being near 
the term of their voyage. But, alas ! this 
term appeared from day to day to recede ; 
and in proportion as happy omens flattered 
6 



G2 



COLUMBUS. 



the expectations of the crew, their grief and 
disappointment were the more extravagant, 
— for, having sailed some days longer, they 
perceived, in spite of all those flattering ap- 
pearances, their hopes again disappointed. 
The spirit of discontent and revolt now broke 
forth without restraint in the three vessels. 
Forgetfnl of the respect they owed their 
chief, the sailors murmured loudly ; and the 
officers, who- till now had always sided with 
the admiral, declared against him. 

Columbus, pressed on every side, and re- 
sisting with an admirable firmness the rage of 
the mutineers, who demanded his death, or, 
what was more bitter to him, the renunciation 
of his beloved project, might be compared 
to the hardy and unsheltered oak, which un- 
moved resists the fury of the storm. He made 
a last attempt to quell the tumult, but his 
eloquence failed ', despair and rage had taken 
such strong possession of every heart, that the 
means he had so often employed with success, 
now lost their effect. Tiiey no longer attend- 
ed to his expostulations, but loaded him with 
reproaches, and threatened him with death if 
he did not immediately tack about and steer for 
Spain. In this desperate situation he was 
at length forced to yield to necessity, and 
to promise the mutineers that he would com- 
ply with their desires upon condition they 
would obey his orders only three days long- 



COLUMBUS. 63 

* er ; protesting, that if in the space of that 
time they did not discover land, he would on 
the fourth day sail for Spain. 

How violent soever the rage of the muti- 
neers, they could not forbear acknowledging 
the proposition to be reasonable ; they there- 
fore complied with it, and the agreement was 
confirmed on both sides by the most solemn 
oaths. Columbus was in the meanwhile 
firmly persuaded that he risked no great mat- 
ter in the concession he had made ; for the 
signals of land multij)lied so fast, that he felt 
assured they should attain it within the stipu- 
lated time. They had for several days past 
sounded, and found a swampy bottom, which 
announced the proximity of a shore ; they 
saw swarms of little birds of a species that did 

« -not appear formed for long flights, direct their 
course towards the west, and took out of the 
sea a branch perfectly fresh, bearing a red 
fruit. The air was also milder, and the wind 
more variable, particularly during the nights. 
These were indubitable signs that the perse- 
verance and constancy of Columbus would 
soon be crowned with success. So confident 
was he upon this point, that the next evening, 
after the usual duties of the day, he reminded 
his people of the gratitude they owed the Al- 
mighty, the protector of their perilous enter- 
prize, exhorted them to vigilance, and then 



64 COLUMBUS. 

ordered them to furl the sails, lest they should 
during the night run aground. 

Theophilus. What is the meaning of furl- 
ing the sails ? 

Father. It is shortening or rolHng them 
up, that the vessel may not be driven by the 
vv^ind. 

Theophilus. I thank you, dear father. 

Father. Columbus reminded his men of 
the queen's promise, that the first who de- 
scried the land they were in pursuit of, should 
have a pension of three hundred and twelve 
Spanish crowns ; in addition to which he 
promised, on his own account, a velvet cloak. 
The whole crew passed the night upon deck, 
in the greatest agitation, their eyes constantly 
turned towards that point from wbich they 
hoped to discover the long-expected conti- 
nent. In this situation, I believe, we must 
leave them until to-morrow, when we shall see 
whether their hopes were realized. 

The Children, (with eagerness.) Oh, dear 
father ! 

Father (smiling.) You do not then wish 
me to leave off ? 

The Children. Oh, no, for pity's sake. 

Peter. This is the most interesting part 
of all. 

Father. Well. Near two hours before 
midnight, Columbus, who was on the fore- 
castle, thought, at a considerable distance, he 



COLCMBUS. ' 65 

discerned a light ; he pointed it out to a page 
belonging to the queen, who was on board, 
and he showed it to another of the crew. All 
imagined they perceived it naove ; and from 
this, if you can conceive, my dear children, 
what pleasure you yourselves would feel, af- 
ter a long and tedious absence, on being re- 
united to beloved parents and friends, you 
may form some judgment of Columbus's joy 
on the discovery of the light. He now ex- 
pected to reap the fruit of his laborious studies 
and to enjoy the recompense of so many dan- 
gers happily surmounted ; his incredulous com- 
panions would now be convinced that his plan 
was not chimerical, nor himself a vain projector. 
These pleasing ideas occupied his mind dur- 
ing the whole night. About two hours after 
midnight, the air resounded from the Pinta, 
which was always ahead, with the joyful cry 
of " Land ! land !" The crew would have 
yielded to the transports of an immoderate 
joy on this occasion, but their hopes had been 
so often disappointed, that doubts and anxiety 
naturally mingled with it. Divided, therefore, 
between hope and fear, they waited the break 
of day with impatience, in order to be con- 
vinced whether their most ardent wishes were 
at length realized. The night was insuffera- 
bly tedious ; each minute appeared an hour, 
each hour a day. At length, the east began 
6* 



66 COLUMBUS. 

to be enlightened, morning dawned, and al- 
ready the crew of the Pinta chaunted Te 
Deum. The crew of the other vessels, at the 
s^me instant, made the air resound equally 
with exclamations of thanksgiving, at the same 
time shedding a torrent of tears, for the long- 
wished-for land was actually before them. 
Scarcely was the hymn concluded, when they 
recollected a second duty, that due to their 
commander, whom they had distrusted and 
grievously offended. They threw themselves 
at his feet, with expressions of repentance, 
and sincerely entreated pardon for their past 
offences. 

Columbus, on this occasion, acted consis- 
tently with his character. The mildness with 
which he pardoned them, and promised to 
foget their errors, was not less magnanimous 
and engaging than had before been the firm- 
ness with which he combatted their fury. 

John. And what part of America did they 
discover? 

Father. Columbus himself is at present 
uninformed. On his landing we may, per- 
haps, gain some information ; do not there- 
fore forget to bring with you to-morrow a 
map of America. 



67 



DIALOGUE VI. 



Jahn. Here is the map, my dear father, 
which you desired me to bring yesterday. 

Father. Well then, draw near, all of you, 
and observe. These isles (pointing to them 
on the map) are, in general, called the Lu- 
caya or Bahama isles ; one of them, which 
is here, is called Guanahami, otherwise the 
Isle of Cat. This was precisely the land first 
discovered. Columbus gave it the name of 
St. Salvador — intimating that it was the dis- 
covery of that country which had saved his 
life ; but this name is not now retained. 

The Bahamas are situated to the south of 
Carolina, between 12'' and 27° N. latitude, 
and 73° and 81° W. longitude. They extend 
along the coast of Florida, down to the Island 
of Cuba. They are said to be 500 in num- 
ber ; some are mere rocks. Twelve are 
large and fertile, yet few of them are inhabit- 
ed. Though they were the first of Colum- 
bus's discoveries, they were not particularly 
expressed or noticed until the year 1718, 
when, by order of the English government, 
a settlement was made in the Isle of Provi- 
dence, and a fort erected for its protection. 
But we will now proceed. 

The crew, for some moments in silence, 



68 COLUMBUS. 

contemplated this unknown world, which, en- 
livened by the first ray of the sun, transport- 
ed them with the smiling view of a fertile 
country, covered with embowering woods, 
and intersected by numerous rivers, which, 
meandering in a thousand diflerent directions, 
heightened the beauty of the picture. 

Columbus at length ordered out the boats, 
and in one of them himself advanced towards 
the shore, amidst the sound of warlike instru- 
ments, with colours flying, and attended by 
the most considerable of his companions, and 
some armed men. As they approached, they 
beheld the shore covered with the natives of 
the country, drawn together by the new and 
astonishing spectacle which the European 
vessels presented. 

At length, having gained the shore, Colum- 
bus, richly clothed, and in his hand a drawn 
sword, leaped from the boat, and was the first 
who set his foot on the land, the discovery of 
which he had projected with such infinite skill 
and perseverance. 

Henry. What must have been his feelings 
at that moment ? 

Father, Never, my dear Henry, till you 
have conceived and executed some great pro- 
ject, subject to a thousand pains and difficul- 
ties, can you enter into the sensations which 
transported the heart of Columbus at that mo- 
ment I Immediately on landing, those who 



COLUMBUS. 69 

accompanied him fell prostrate, and, kissing 
the earth in silent transport, in that posture 
renewed their promises of perfect obedience 
to him in quality of viceroy of the new world. 
This first effusion of joy having subsided, they 
erected on the shore a cross, before which 
they a second time prostrated themselves, to 
acknowledge the sacred debt of gratitude due 
to their Maker. This done, they solemnly 
took possession of the country in the name of 
the King and Queen of Spain. 

While these ceremonies were performing, 
the Indians assembled in crowds round them, 
looking in silent surprize, sometimes at what 
they considered as floating houses, and, 
sometimes at the extraordinary beings which 
they had conveyed across the waves. Of the 
meaning of the ceremonies they were perfect- 
ly ignorant ; for of all the religious and sol- 
emn acts of the Spaniards they comprehended 
not one. Alas ! had they knovi^n the conse- 
quences that were to follow, they would have 
rent the air with groans, and have shed the 
last drop of their blood to have driven back 
the strangers upon whom they now gazed 
with so much admiration and respect. 

Charlotte. Dear father, you surprize me ! 
Did any thing particular happen ^ 

Father. Have patience, and you shall 
know all. The more the astonished Indians 
examined the actions of the Spaniards, the 



iO COLUMBUS. 

less they could comprehend. The colour of 
tlie Europeans, their beards, their dress, their 
arms, their behaviour, all was new and won- 
derful ; but when at length they heard the 
thunder of the cannon and musketry, their as- 
tonishment was beyond all bounds, and they 
looked upon it, as a certainty, that the stran- 
gers, armed, as they conceived, with the 
thunder and fire of Heaven, were not mortals, 
but beings elevated above the condition of hu- 
man nature, children of their divinity, the Sun, 
who had condescended to visit them. 

Christian. Did these people then worship 
the Sun ? 

Fathei'. Yes, my child ; among the Ame- 
ricans, some, who possessed a little more sense 
than the rest, were so struck with the beauty 
and splendour of that great luminary, with its 
fire, which vivifies all nature, and, with the regu- 
larity of its course, that they mistook it for the 
most beneficent and powerful of all beings — 
for God himself. Others, on the contrary, 
imagined one or several gods in the human 
form ; while others again were so simple 
and dull of understanding, as never yet to 
have reflected on the cause of the world, 
or its daily changes. These poor creatures 
had not, tlierefore, you see any idea of the 
true God, but lived, careless of knowing 
whence they came, or what would become of 
them. 



COLUMBUS. 71 

If the appearance of the Spaniards aston- 
ished the Indians, they were, in their turn, ht- 
tle less surprized at the many new and singular 
object they beheld. They saw herbs, plants, 
trees, and animals of various kinds, totally dif- 
ferent from those of Europe, and beheld men, 
who seemed to belong to another class of be- 
ings than themselves. They were of the mid- 
dle size ; their skin was of the colour of cop- 
per, their hair long and black, their chins 
without beards, their air mild and bashful, 
their faces, as also other paits of their bodies, 
painted in a whimsical manner. Some were 
quite naked, and others nearly so. Their 
ears, rrostrils, and heads, were loaded with 
different ornaments, made of feathers, shells, 
and gold plates. At first they were timid 
and reserved ; but when Columbus began to 
distribute amongst them different trifles, such 
as glass beads, ribbons, and little bells, they 
reposed so much confidence in their (suppos- 
ed) celestial guests, that when they returned 
in the evening, to their vessels, a number of 
Indians accompanied them in their canoes 
(which were formed of the trunks of trees hol- 
lowed,) either with a view of satisfying their 
curiosity farther, or of bartering for gewgaws. 
In exchange they gave cotton spun into thread 
after their fashion ; javelins, the points of 
which were formed of a strong fish bone ; all 
sorts of fruits, and paroquettes. Each was 



72 COLUMBUS. 

SO eager to procure some European bauble, 
that they carefully collected the pieces of a 
broken pot that were scattered on the deck, 
and joyfully gave twenty-five pounds of fine 
spun cotton for some copper counters, which 
could not possibly be of any use to them. 
The novelty alone, and the idea of receiving 
them from the white men, gave all the value 
to these worthless trifles. 

The next day Columbus visited the coasts 
of the island, accompanied by a great number 
of the natives, of whom he enquired, by sig- 
nificant signs, whence they procured those 
gold plates with w4iich their nostrils were de- 
corated. He understood, in return, that they 
were not found in that isle, but in another sit- 
uated to the south, which, according to their 
account, produced large quantities. This 
rich country, Columbus, by their directions, 
resolved to explore. 

Frederic, Was he then so covetous, fa- 
ther .? 

Father. I did not tell you that he was 
covetous ; but having promised the Queen of 
Spain, and his avaricious companions, that he 
would conduct them to countries that would 
enrich them all, it was natural he should be 
desirous to keep his word. He, accordingly, 
therefore, re-embarked, accompanied by sev- 
en Indians, who agreed to serve him as guides 



COLUMBUS. 73 

and interpreters, and directed and his course 
southward. 

In his way he met with several isles, the 
three largest of wliich only he visited, nanning 
the;n, S\nta Maria de la Conception, Ferdi- 
nand, and Isabella. Look for ihem on this 
other map,* which I have brought for your in- 
spection. As no gold was to be found in 
those islands, and the Indians, upon a repe- 
tition of his inquiries, pointed always to the 
south, he continued there but a short time, 
and proceeded on this voyage. In one of 
these islands they observed dogs that were 
quite mute, a circumstance that appeared, at 
that time, singular. They also saw there an 
alligator, an animal of the lizard kind, very 
nearly resembling a crocodile. Having con- 
tinued their course a short time longer, they 
discovered a country distinguished by its 
great extent, and the nature of its soil, from 
the islands they had hitherto seen. Instead 
of being level and uniform, it presented to 
the eye mountains and vallies, agreeably di- 
versified by forests, meadows, and rivers. 
Columbus himself coulfl not determine wheth- 
er it was a part of the continent, or only a 
large island ; but some days after he learnt 
that it was really an island, and that, in the 

* A map of the Gulf of Mexico, by Ritcbere. 
7 



74 COLUMBUS. 

language of the country, it was called Cuba. 
Here it is on the map, between the twentieth 
and twenty-third degree of north latitude. 

JVicholas. Ah ! is it not the island where 
the Havannah is, the port which is the ren- 
dezvous of the galleons, when they make their 
voyage to Spanish America f 

Father. The same ; and of all the regis- 
ter ships likewise. 

Mathias. What is meant by galleons and 
register ships ? 

Father. I will tell you. The galleons were 
the vessels which the King of Spain, every 
year, previous to the late South American re- 
volution, sent to America for gold, silver, and 
other precious things, which were collected 
there. The register ships, on the contrary, 
were those which had on board European 
merchandize, which the Spanish merchants, 
who purchased the permission, sent to 
America, in exchange for the productions of 
the country. These vessels were bound, the 
one for Vera Cruz, in Mexico, and the other 
for Carthagena, and Porto Bello, in Terra 
Firma. Look at the two ports on the map. 
Theophilus. But still I cannot understand 
why they :hould call them register ships. 

Father. Because all that was sent from 
Spain lo America, on board of those vessels, 
was first exactly registered, lest the privateers 
should carry into America a greater quantity 



COLUMBUS. 76 

of merchandize than the king allowed for the 
stipend paid. 

John. Are not the galleons called also the 
silver fleet ? 

Father. Not now. Before they were 
classed as register ships, a single fleet was 
yearly sent to America, freighted with mer- 
chandize, partly on the king's account, and 
partly on that of private merchants, and re- 
turned to Spain loaded with gold and silver ', 
but as these transports are now known by the 
sole name of register ships, the appellation of 
silver fleet is no longer in use. But to re- 
turn, — Columbus cast anchor at the mouth 
of a large river, impatient to obtain a knowl- 
edge of the country and its inhabitants ; but 
at the sight of the European vessels, the lat- 
ter forsook their cabins, and fled to the moun- 
tains, — one only had courage to approach 
the ship in a little boat, and to ascend the 
deck. Having ensured the friendship of this 
Indian by some trifling presents, the admiral 
sent him on shore with one of those he had 
brought from Guanahami, and two Spaniards 
were commissioned to reconnoitre the coun- 
try, and inspire the natives with confidence ; 
a greater number he justly feared would only 
intimidate them farther. 

In the mean time the vessels were much 
damaged, and it was thought necessary to 
caulk them. Do you know what this means f 



76 COLUMBUS. 

Henry, Oh ! yes, father, stopping the 
leaks of the vessels, and pitching and greas- 
ing them anew. I know also that for these 
repairs the ships are usually laid on one side. 

Father. I am pleased to find you so well 
informed, and will now proceed. The two 
Spaniards, after having advanced up the 
country more than a dozen leagues, returned, 
and made their report to the admiral nearly in 
these words : — "We found a great part of 
the country we have traversed cultivated, and 
the different regions apparently extremely fer- 
tile. The fields produce maize, or Indian 
corn, and a root which, when roasted, tastes 
like bread. We at length arrived at a small 
town, consisting of about fifty houses all of 
wood, and containing about a thousand inhab- 
itants. The most considerable of them came 
out to meet us, and, having learnt from the 
Indians what people we were, led us into the 
town, where they assigned us a spacious lodg- 
ment. They seated us in a sort of couch 
made in the shape of some animal ; the eyes 
and ears were of gold, and the tail served for 
the back of the seat. We were no sooner 
placed than the Indians seated themselves 
beside us on the ground, kissed our hands and 
feet, and expressed so much veneration for 
us, that we clearly perceived they took us 
for celestial beings. They pressed us to eat 
of their roasted roots, the taste of which very 



COLUMBUS. 77 

much resembled chesnuts. We observed the 
whole assembly was composed of men only ; 
but these after a certain time withdrawing, 
were replaced by so may women, who paid us 
the same honours. To conclude, — when 
we expressed a desire to return, a crowd of 
the inhabitants proposed to accompany us ; 
but we entreated them to remain, and accept- 
ed this honour only on the part of the cacique 
or king, and his son, who as you see have ac- 
companied us, and every where given or- 
ders that we should be treated with the ut- 
most attention." 

The admiral expressed his acknowledg- 
ments to the two princes, and entertained 
them on board his vessel with great respect. 
He inquired concerning the country where 
the gold was found. They pointed to the 
east, but could not comprehend why the 
white men should discover such a passion for 
a metal which, in their estimation, was of lit- 
tle value ; while the whites, on the contrary, 
were not less surprized at their smplicity. 

Columbus shortened his sojourn in the isle, 
that he might bend his course, according to 
the new direction he had received, to the coun- 
try in which he hoped to discover the gold 
mines, which were now the principal object of 
his pursuit. This country was called by the 
Indians, Haiti.. He left Cuba on the 19th of 
7* 



78 COLUMBUS. 

November, and took with him twelve of the 
natives with the design of carrying them to 
Spain. Strange as it may appear, they left 
their country with the utmost indifference ; 
Columbus having prudently taken care to ren- 
der their abode in the vessel in all points 
agreeable to thein. The wind blowing con- 
trary for several days, the admiral was oblig- 
ed to tack. 

Charlotte. As our sloop did on the Elbe 
during our voyage to York ?"^ 

Father. Yes. He was in the same man- 
ner obliged to steer sometimes one way, 
sometimes another, the wind not permitting 
him to proceed in a direct line. Alonzo Pin- 
zon, captain of the Pinta, endeavoured to 
profit by this circumstance ; and, as his ship 
was a swifter sailer than the others, attempted 
to separate from the admiral, with tlie view of 
arriving first at the country where the gold 
mines were to found, and loading himself 
with treasure before his comrades arrived. 

Columbus, who suspected his intention, 
made a signal for him to bring to ; but Pinzon 
paid no regard to it, and did all in his power 
to accelerate the course of his vessel, that he 
might satisfy the avarice which made him for- 
get the obedience due to his commander. 

* In the neighbourhood of Stade, 



COLUMBUS. 79 

T/ieophilus. Fye ! How base and odious 
was such behaviour ! 

Frederic. Permit me to ask you, father, 
what is meant by a signal f 

Father. It is. a sign made either by the 
report of cannon, the hoisting of certain 
flags, or other expedients that may be seen 
from afiir, by which the commander of a fleet 
or squadron makes his orders known to the 
captains of the other vessels. Columbus be- 
ing unable to remedy this misfortune, bore it 
with patience ; and as the atmosphere became 
so thick that it seemed dangerous to continue 
at sea, he returned with the two vessels that 
remained with him to the isle of Cuba, where 
he cast anchor in one of its bays. 

He employed the time he was obliged to 
pass there in reconnoitring the country, which 
every where presented a fertile and smiling 
aspect. One observation with respect to the 
inhabitants at first disgusted the Spaniards ; 
this was, their greedily devouring a species of 
large spider, worms bred in decayed wood, 
and fish half dressed, the eyes of which they 
swallowed raw. By degrees, some Spaniards 
were tempted to imitate them, and found no 
inconvenience from such nutriment. 

As soon as the wind changed, Columbus 
set sail for the isle of Haiti, and in pursuit of 
the perfidious Pinzon. The distance vvas 
but sixteen leagues, and the 6th of Decern- 



80 COLUMBUS. 

ber he arrived at Haiti. This island he call- 
ed Hispaniola, or Little Spain, because it ap- 
peared, in some measure, to resemble that 
country in the nature of the soil. Jt is of all 
the countries he discovered almost the only 
one that has preserved the name he gave it 
till tlie present day.^ 

Henry. But is it not also called St. Do- 
mingo ? 

Father. It is ; because a city which is 
become the capital of the isle has been since 
built there, to which the name has been given. 

On the arrival of Columbus the inhabitants 
fled into the woods ; and as for the Pinta, 
they could gain no tidings of it. The admi- 
ral, therefore, soon left the harbour, and 
steered northward along the coast. Having 
cast anchor in another haven, he was more 
successful in gaining the confidence of the 
natives. An Indian woman whom they had 
seized and loaded with presents, gave her 
countrymen so advantageous a description of 
the Spaniards, that they no longer hesitated 
to approach them, in order to behold, and in 
their turn partake of, the wonderful things 
with which their comrade had been enter- 
tained. 

With respect to their persons and manners 
these people differed in nothing from the na- 

* It is now also called Haiti. 



COLUMBUS. 81 

tives of Cuba and Guanahami. Like them, 
they were not clothed, and their skins of a 
copper colour ; they were ignorant and timid, 
and had not less of gentleness in their char- 
acter. Struck with admiration at all they 
heard and saw, they also appeared to believe 
the Spaniards were not men, but beings of a 
superior order ; more gold was displayed in 
their ornaments than in tliose of the former 
islanders, but like them they held the metal 
so cheaply, that they thought themselves hap- 
py in exchanging it for glass beads, pins, little 
bells, and other baubles of that kind. When 
Columbus inquired concerning the place 
where they found the gold, they pointed to 
the eastern part ; and, in consequence of this 
information, he again set sail, in the sanguine 
hope of soon discovering a source of im- 
mense riches. 



DIALOGUE VII. 

When they had anchored in another bay 
of the same isle, the cacique, or king of the 
country, who had received information con- 
cerning the white men, deigned to visit the 
admiral in person. His suite was consider- 



82 COLUMBUS. 

able ; four men bore him on their shoulders 
in a palanquin, a sort of sedan chair, his royal 
person was not loaded with habiliments any 
more than were those of his naked supporters. 
He did not make the least difficulty in com- 
ing immediately on board ; and when inform- 
ed that the admiral was at dinner, he desired 
to be introduced, accompanied by two old 
men, wlio appeaj'ed to be his ministers. He 
seated himself by Columbus with a counte- 
nance expressing respect and confidence, 
while the two old men placed themselves at 
his feet. They served him with different 
dishes, and some wine ; of which having par- 
taken, he sent the remainder to the people of 
his suite, who had remained on deck. The 
repast finished, he presented the admiral with 
several plates of gold, as also with a belt cu- 
riously wrought. Columbus in return gave 
him a string of amber beads, a pair of red 
slippers, a quilt, and a flask of orange-flower 
water ; presents with which his Indian Majes- 
ty was so transported, that in the excess of 
his acknowledgment, he desired that the ad- 
miral might be informed that the whole coun- 
try was at his disposal. 

The demeanour of this naked monarch to- 
wards his subjects was dignified, but to die 
Spaniards it was perfectly familiar. He 
viewed every thing with great attention, and 
testified infinite surprize at all the extraordina- 



COLUMBUS. 83 

ry things he observed in the vessel. In the 
evening desiring to be re-conducted on shore, 
he was suffered to use his pleasure ; and to 
strengthen the impressions of astonishment 
with which he left the vessel, the admiral ac- 
companied his farewell with a salute of can- 
non. This confirmed their opinion of the ce- 
lestial origin of the Spaniards, since it ap- 
peared that they disposed of the very thun- 
der itself. Their veneration for the august 
strangers carried them so far, as to kiss the 
very traces their feet had imprinted on the 
earth. 

As this country was not that which con- 
tained the gold mines, Columbus prepared to 
sail further to the east. From all llie infor- 
mation hitherto received, it appeared that the 
gold was found in certain mountainous dis- 
tricts, which depended on a powerful cacique. 
To this prince Columbus despatched deputies, 
and, having received from him the most press- 
ing invitation, sailed immediately to the place. 
Alas ! had he foreseen the misfortune that was 
to attend him in this short course, he would 
have been less eager to embark in it, and 
rather have renounced all the silver and gold 
than have paid so dear for the possession of it. 
Peter, What could happen ? 1 am im- 
patient to hear. 

. Father. They advanced in their new 
course till they reached a cape, where the ad- 



84 COLUMBUS. 

miral, on account of a dead calm, ordered his 
men to furl the sails at about a league off 
land. His anxiety for the last two days had 
not suffered him to take any repose ; but ex- 
hausted nature now claimed her rights, and 
Columbus, having committed the helm to the 
pilot, with strict orders not to leave it, to- 
wards midnight went to rest. Scarcely was 
he asleep when the crew, thinking themselves 
sheltered from all danger, followed his exam- 
ple ; even the pilot, presuming on the calm, 
did not scruple, in contempt of the orders of 
his superior, to transfer the charge confided to 
him to a cabin-boy, and to commit himself to 
repose also. Thus was an inexperienced lad 
the only watch on board. While the whole 
crew was buried in profound sleep, a current 
insensibly carried the vessel towards the coast, 
and suddenly it received so violent a shock, 
that the cabin-boy in his fright let go the 
helm. Roused by his cries, Columbus sprung 
upon deck, perceived the rocks, and was im- 
mediately sensible that the vessel had struck. 
Seized with terror and dismay, every one but 
Columbus yielded to despair ; he alone pre- 
served sufficient presence of mind to give the 
necessary orders for saving the vessel if that 
possibility remained. 

He commanded some of his men immedi- 
ately to embark in the long boat, and at a cer- 
tain distance to cast an anchor, by means of 



COLUMBUS. 85 

which they might tow the ship, and disengage 
it from the rocks ; but such was the despair 
and the pusillanimity of those whom he de- 
puted, that, instead of executing his orders, 
they thought only of their own preservation, 
and attempted to save themselves on board 
the Nina. The captain vi that vessel, how- 
ever, refused to receive nien who had so 
basely betrayed their trust and forsaken their 
commander ; they were llierefore obliged to 
return to the wreck. In the mean time, Co- 
lumbus, to lighten the vessel, ordeied the 
masts to be struck, and threw overboard those 
tilings that uere least necessary ; but all was 
in vain. The vessel opened near the keel, 
and the water suddenly poured in in such 
quantities, that all hopes ol" preserving it was 
destroyed. The admiral therefore and his 
men had recourse to the boats, which came 
to their assistance, and, by dint of oars, reach- 
ed the Nina. 

The next day Columbus sent to inform the 
cacique of the misfortune that had happened, 
and to request the assistance of his vassals in 
preserving from the wreck that part of the 
cargo which it was possible to save. The 
cacique, whose namiC was Guakanahari, ex- 
pressed the most generous concern at these 
melancholy tidings, and, with tears in his eyes, 
attended by all his subjects, flew to the suc- 
8 



86 COLUMBUS. 

coiir of the Europeans. Far from profiting 
by the accident to embezzle any of the car- 
go, these generous islanders exerted their ut- 
most efforts to preserve all. They assem- 
bled with the greatest celerity a number of 
canoes, by the help of which, and so many 
hands, almost every thing of value was trans- 
ported to land. The kind Guakanahari took 
all that was preserved under his care, and 
sent from time to time, entreating Columbus 
not to be uneasy, and to assure him in his 
name, that every thing should be restored. 
He caused the effects of the vessel to be de- 
posited near his own dwelling, till the huts in 
which they were to be kept could be emptied. 
He also for their security appointed a guard 
over them ; a })recaution which however 
seemed little necessary, so heartily did his 
subjects appear to lament the misfortune of 
the white men. 

Columbus, in the relation he gave on his 
return to the court of Spain, describes the 
character of these amiable savages in the most 
interesting manner.:. — "To sum up all," says 
be, " these islanders are so gentle, humane, 
and peaceable, that I think I may venture to 
assure your majesty, that there are not better 
men on the earth. They love their fellow- 
creatures as they do themselves. Their 
manners are pleasing, gracious, and animat- 
ed ; and although it must be allowed they go 



COLUMBUS. 87 

naked, I entreat your highness to believe that 
they have among them many laudable cus- 
toms. The king is served with great respect, 
and his manners are so noble, that it is a 
pleasure to see him act ; nor is the excellent 
memory of these people less worthy of obser- 
vation, than the ardent desire they discover 
for improvement." 

Mother. Well, my children, what do you 
think of those Indians f 

The Children. Think ! Oh, we are de- 
lighted with them ! 

Mother. Yet they are savages ! — men 
without education, without even the know- 
ledge of God ! 

Father. It would be to our shame and 
eternal disgrace to be surpassed by them in 
humanity and goodness of heart ! With how 
many more motives to act well has Providence 
furnished us than those poor Indians, depriv- 
ed of all instruction ! Oh, my children ! left 
us earnestly endeavour to render ourselves 
worthy of these great advantages. What will 
become of us, if, one day weighed in the 
balance with these good savages, we are 
found Vv^anting in rectitude and generosity ! 
(Jl short pause, after which the father con- 
tinues :) Guakanaliari having observed the 
Europeans' fondness for gold, to console the 
Spaniards for their misfortune presented them 
with several plates of that metal, with a prom- 



88 COLUMBUS. 

ise that he would cause a more considerable 
quantity to be brought from a place called 
Cibao. Several of his subjects also supplied 
them, delighted with the opportunity of ex- 
changing their ore for different sorts of Euro- 
pean trifles. One of them who held a very 
large piece of this metal in his hand, extend- 
ed the other towards a Spaniard, who put into 
it a little bell. The Indian, delighted with his 
prize, immediately dropped the gold, and ran 
off as fast as possible. 

While Columbus's men were tasting the 
sweets of their abode in this island, his heart 
was a prey to the most distressing anxiety. 
Tiie best of hib vessels was lost, — the treach- 
erous Pinzon had forsaken him, and the sole 
vessel that remained with him was so small 
and wealherbeaten, that it would neither con- 
tain all his men, nor could without temerity be 
employed in so long a voyage as tiiat from 
America to Spain. What was to be done in 
this critical situation f After mature reflec- 
tion, he resolved to re-embark with part only 
of his people, and, braving every danger, to 
sail for Spain, to inform the court of the dis- 
coveries he had made, and to leave the re- 
mainder of his crew in the Spanish island as a 
colony. This resolution was universally ap- 
proved, and applications were instantly made 
10 Columbus by many of his men for leave 
to remain. The Cacique Guakanahari him- 



COLUMBUS. 



89 



self, so far from opposing their design, thought 
himself fortunate in detaining some of these 
strangers of celestial origin, who would defend 
him and his subjects against their common 
enemy. 

JVicholas. Had they, then, any enemies ? 

Father. By what they learnt from Gua- 
kanahari, several isles situated to the south- 
east were inhabited by a barbarous and fero- 
cious nation called Caraibees. These people, 
he said, from time to time invaded his coun- 
try ; and as his subjects were not in a situa- 
tion to make head against them, all that re- 
mained for their preservation was to retreat as 
speedily as possible to the mountains. Co- 
lumbus promised to take them under his pro- 
tection ; and to give them some idea of the 
military skill of the Europeans, he made his 
troops perform some evolutions before them. 
The Indians viewed all with astonishment ; 
but when Cohu:nbus caused the artillery of the 
wrecked vessel to be fired, their terror was so 
great that they fell to the ground stunned, 
covering their heads with their hands. Gua- 
kanahari himself was struck with consterna- 
tion ; but Columbus restored his confidence 
by giving him to understand that he should 
employ these thunders only against the Carai- 
bees. To render him more sensible of the 
effects of these dreadful engines, he ordered 
8* 



90 COLUMBUS. 

a cannon to be levelled and fired against the 
wreck, the ball of which passed through the 
vessel, and fell into the sea. 

The astonishment of the cacique surpassed 
all bounds ; he returned to his house wrapt in 
profound meditation, more convinced than 
ever that his guests were the descendants of 
Heaven, since like Heaven itself the thunder 
was at their command. 

Mathias. But. my dear father, I cannot 
conceive how the Spaniards and the savages 
could converse, as they were ignorant of each 
other's language r* 

Father. They spoke by gestures, signs, 
and single words, which they had caught one 
from another ; a language very imperfect, no 
doubt, but sufficient in many cases to commu- 
nicate their reciprocal ideas. But to con- 
tinue ; — after this, some days were employ- 
ed in erecting a sm-all fortress, in doing which 
the officious islanders gave the Spaniards all 
the assistance in their power. Unhappy men! 
they knew not that they were forging for them-^ 
selves the fetters they were hereafter to wear- 
Whenever the admiral came on shore, Gua- 
kanahari paid him some distinguished honours, 
which were always returned by the liberality 
of Columbus. One day the cacique conduct- 
ed him into a hut prepared for his reception ; 
when taking from his own head a gold crown, 
he placed it on that of his guest. Columbus 



COLUMBUS. 91 

immediately took from his neck a string of 
small pearls which he usually wore, and tied 
it on Guakanahari ; he also disrobed himself 
of a splendid habit, and clothed the cacique in 
it with his own hands — besides this, he slip- 
ped on his finger a silver ring, and sent for a 
pair of red buskins, which he also made him 
put on. 

These mutual attentions fixed the seal of 
friendship to the treaty already formed be- 
tween them. The fort was completed in ten 
days ; at the end of which time, Columbus 
selected from those who were desirous of re- 
maining, thirty-eight, and appointed for their 
commander Diego de Arada. He enjoined 
them punctually to obey the chief he had nom- 
inated, to try all possible means of preserving 
the good opinion that Guakanahari and his 
subjects entertained of the Spaniards, and at- 
tentively to study the language of the country. 
The place where he left them he called Na- 
vidad (that is, Nativity.) 

Columbus, having re-embarked on board 
his shatteied vessel, weighed anchor the 4th 
of January, 1493, amidst the acclamations of 
those whom he left behind. What a bold 
and hazardous enterprize ! It is impossible, 
without trembling for the life of this brave and 
excellent man, to behold him in a single bark, 
weather-beaten and damaged, attempt to brave 



92 COLUMBUS. 

the dangers of an ocean yet so imperfectly 
known. 

Charlotte. Oh ! if he had but remained 
witli Giiakanahari. 

Theophilus. If that base Pinzon had not 
left him, they might liave assisted each other. 

Father. Tiie fate of that treacherous 
wretch and his vessel was an enigma. Co- 
lumbus had not been able to gain any tidings 
of him ; he concluded, therefore, either that 
he had perished, or had sailed for Europe, 
with the view of being the first to bear the 
news of the great discoveries that had been 
made, and perhaps also with the intention of 
blackening his character at court, in order to 
deprive him of the recompense he had so just- 
ly earned. This last suspicion made Colum- 
bus more sensibly feel the necessity of accele- 
rating his return, that his presence might de- 
feat the pernicious designs of his perfidious 
enemy. In the mean while, effectually to de- 
stroy every doubt which might arise respect- 
ing the truth of his report, he had previous- 
ly ordered specimens of every thing that he 
had found in the newly discovered countries 
worthy of observation ; gold especially, as the 
thing most to be desired, was not forgotten. 
The natives of the different isles they had 
visited, who had agreed to accompany him, 
were also conveyed on board ; as were also 
several unknown birds, and other curiosities, 



COLUMBUS. 93 

as well natural as artificial, calculated to give 
an idea of the importance of his discoveries. 
Sailing eastward, Columbus first coasted His- 
paniola, that he might in passing take a view 
of the other parts of the country which had 
before escaped his observation. The day af- 
ter his departure, he perceived at a distance 
something that had the appearance of a ship. 
He immediately steered towards it, and, con- 
trary to all his hopes, discovered the vessel of 
Alonzo dePinzon. You will readily imagine 
what must have been the joy of the admiral 
and the whole crew on this unexpected ren- 
counter. 

When Pinzon came on board the admiral's 
ship, he endeavoured to justify himself by 
throwing the whole blame of their separation 
on the bad weather, which had caused him, 
he said, against his inclination, to deviate from 
his course. Columbus, though sensible of the 
falsehood of this excuse, treated him with in- 
dulgence, being led to do so, not only by the 
natural generosity of his temper, but on the 
present occasion by prudence. He accepted 
his apologies therefore, and restored him to 
favour, secretly pleased that he was not reiluc- 
ed to the necessity of trusting the proofs of his 
discoveries to a single vessel, and that in so 
bad a condition. 

Charles. Where could Pinzon have stay- 
ed so long ? 



94 COLUMBUS. 

Father. He had anchored on the coast of 
Hispaniola, in order to traffic for gold, but in 
a different part from that where Cokimbus 
had landed ; he had therefore made no new 
discovery. 

Mother. Well, my children, that you may 
have cause to rejoice in the discovery of 
America, your supper this evening shall con- 
sist wholly of its productions. 

The Children. Indeed ! 

Mother. What do you think of cocoa ? — 
or something that you will not perhaps so well 
approve — potatoes ? 

The Children. Oh, potatoes ! potatoes I 
our favourite dish ! 

Father. Long live the memory of Colum- 
bus, to whom we are indebted for this favour- 
ite root ! 

The Children. Huzza ! Columbus for 
ever ! 



DIALOGUE VIIL 

Father. Come, children, let us attend Co- 
lumbus in his return to Spain. 

The Children. We are all ready, father. 

Father. A fresh gale from the west op- 
portunely rose, and, filling the sails of the ves- 
sels, appeared to lend them wings. Th© 



coLUMdus. 95 

crew, overjoyed, already thought themselves 
in Spain, surrounded by curious enquirers, 
who listened with avidity to the wonderful de- 
tails of their adventures. 

Mother. But cannot you, my dear, put 
them at once on shore, that they may in re- 
ality ease their^liearts by the recital of their 
adventures ? 

Father. I would readily follow your ad- 
vice ; but in the west I see a storm forming 
on the horizon, which makes me tremble for 
my poor adventurers. 1 am desirous there- 
fore of sheltering ihem in some good port ; but 
unfortunately no land is to be found between 
Hispaniola and Spain. 

John. Oh, yes, the Azores, father. 

Father. You are right. They certainly 
might have found refuge there, could they 
have reached them in time ; but the storm 
approached rapidly, the darkness increased, 
and the crew in silent anxiety expected the 
event, their eyes fixed on the admiral, who 
gave his orders with his usual intrepidity. 
The sea swelled insensibly, the vessel became 
the sport of the waves, the cordage gave way 
and the masts resounded with the force of the 
wind. Lightning, the crashing of thunder, 
and darkness, rapidly succeeded each other, 
while the rain poured on them in torrents. 
The atmosphere appeared in flames, the thun- 
der mingled with the roaring of the ocean, 



96 COLUMBUS. 

whose tremendous waves threw the vessels 
one moment towards heaven, and the next pre- 
cipitated them into the abyss. 

Terror and dismay seized upon the whole 
crew. Some on their knees with uplifted 
hands implored the preservation of their lives, 
— others silent, pale, and motionless, depriv- 
ed of all sense, bore a nearer resemblance to 
dead than living men, — while others, recur- 
ring to a superstitious expedient, made ardent 
vows of going on a pilgrimage to some church 
dedicated to the Virgin, in tlie first Christian 
country wherein they should land. 

Charlotte. I do not understand what go- 



ing on a pilgrimage is, fathe 

Father. 1 will explain it. Those Chris- 
tians called Roman Catholics, . formerly 
thought it an action pleasing in the sight of 
God, to undertake a long and painful journey, 
from the place where tliey dwelt, to some oth- 
er country, in order to pass a certain time 
there in fasting and prayer. A journey per- 
formed with this pious intention was called a 
pilgrimage, and those who undertook it, pil- 
grims. Pilgrimages were at the time of Co- 
lumbus very frequent, and were usually ren- 
dered by the pilgrims as painful as possible. 
Some travelled bare-foot, wore sackcloth 
next their skin, and endured on the way all 
the severities of hunger and thirst, heat and 
cold. They scourged their bodies with 



COLUMBUS. 97 

whips, and esteemed themselves happy in 
proportion to the misery and torments they 
suffered ; beheving they should, by their vol- 
untary mortifications, make their peace with 
God, and obtain pardon for all their sins. 
Conformably with this idea, whenever they 
were in any great danger, they thought it the 
most certain means of insuring the Divine as- 
sistance to make a vow of undertaking such a 
pious journey. This was the expedient to 
which the sailors in the vessel of Columbus 
had recourse. Do you now comprehend, 
Charlotte ? 

Charlotte. Yes, father. 

Father. To return then to my narrative. 
Columbus and his men remained in the de- 
plorable state I have described, floating be- 
tween life and death, expecting every wave to 
be that which was to decide their fate. In 
vain Columbus, ever collected and calm, 
employed all the means that prudence and ex- 
perience suggested ; he endeavoured to en- 
courage his men ; all energy was lost, ter- 
ror had benumbed llieir faculties, and they ap- 
peared like bodies bereft of souls to animate 
them, while the storm raged with a fury that 
nothing could resist. At length, no longer be- 
ing able to dissemble even with himself, that 
he must renounce all hope of human succour, 
with a heavy heart he withdrew into his cab- 
9 



08 COLUMBUS. 

in ; and what, my children, do you think he 
did f 

Frederic. Prayed to God, father, to be 
sure. 

Father. Doubtless he directed to Heaven 
a devout submission and acquiescence in the 
Divine will ; his hfe he was sensible, belong- 
ed to him from whom it was received, and he 
was content to resign it. All he asked of the 
Almighty in this trying moment was, that he 
would be pleased to give success to a resolu- 
tion he had- formed in the very moment of ex- 
pecting death. 

Ferdinand. What can he have resolv- 
ed on f 

Father. The greatest source of uneasiness 
to Columbus, ever more occupied with the 
general good of his species than with his own 
safety, was the idea that his death would de- 
prive Europe of all the probable advantages 
she would reap fro«t4i^is discoveries. This 
was a heart-rending reflection ; and he re- 
solved to think only of preventing a misfortune 
which he considered as greater than all the 
rest. When I have informed you of his pro- 
ceedings, you will judg« what greatness of 
soul that man must have possessed, who, in 
momentary danger of death, was capable of 
such wise resolutions and such unpremeditated 
activity. He took a parchment, and sitting 
down wrote upon it the nriost important intel- 



( 



COLUMBUS. 99 

ligence concerning his discoveries ; this he 
wrapped in Hnen dipped in oil, covered that 
with a waxed cloth, and put the whole pack- 
age i^nto a closed cask, which he threw into 
the sea. 

Mathias. Why did he do this ? 

Henry. I think it is not difficult to guess ; 
he naturally thought the sea would in time 
throw the cask on shore. 

Father. Yes ; and in case any person 
found it, he might discover to the world the 
treasure it enclosed. He next tied a second 
cask, containing the same information, to the 
poop of his own ship, in order that it might 
remain there when the vessel should strike. 
1 now ask you, my children, which of us would'' 
have been capable, in such circumstances, of 
exerting equal presence of mind ? 

John. Not one of us, 1 believe ; at least 
it would not have been me. 

Father. Would you wish to know the 
method Columbus took to acquire this uncom- 
mon fortitude ? 

John. We are all attention, dear father. 

Father. At your age, my children, he ac- 
customed himself to restrain his passions ; in 
every little misfortune or embarrassment he 
exercised the virtues of courage and forbear- 
ance, never yielded to terror or despondency, 
but instantly revolved in his mind the means 
of surmounting the difficulty. He relied on 



100 COLUMBUS. 

himself only for assistance, never claiming 
the hand of another when his own was suffi- 
cient for the undertaking he had in view ; for 
sincerely did he despise those weak effemin- 
ate beings, who, unfit for every human func- 
tion, suffer others to think and act for them. 
By these means, and by a laborious, active, 
and at the same time a pious life, which he 
had led from his earliest youth, he acquired 
the habit of meeting every event with cajm- 
ness, of shrinking at no danger however great, 
and of applying on the instant the whole force 
of his mind either to the averting or surmount- 
ing it. Thus, my children, must you conduct 
yourselves, if you would become such men as 
Columbus. 

Theophilus. And be assured, father, we 
will endeavour to profit by his example. 

Frederic (to the servant.) Jane, do not 
to-morrow morning think of helping me to 
lace my spatterdashes, I shall entirely do them 
myself; do you hear .^ 

Jane. Oh, never fear ; I shall not press 
ray services upon you. 

Frederic. 1 would not have you. Fath- 
er, should I not lace them myself ? 

Father. Certainly. If you would become 
a Columbus ; if indeed you mean to pass 
your life like an old woman at your fire-side, 
it is another thing. 



COLUMBUS. 101 

Frederic, Ob, father ! how can you think 
of such a thing ? 

Mother. But, my children, we lose sight 
of Columbus ; I am on thorns to know what 
will become of him. 

Father. 1 will continue, then. The tem- 
pest still raged with its former violence, and to 
augment the terrors of death which they eve- 
ry moment expected, the darkest and most 
horrible night succeeded ; not a star, whose 
benign lustre could convey a ray of hope into 
their depressed hearts, was to be seen ; the 
thickest gloom obscured both heaven and 
earth, and the storm, during the whole night 
abated not an instant its terrors. Thus 
scarcely breathing, they continued floating be- 
tvi'een life and death, till at length 

Some of the Children. Oh, poor Co- 
lumbus ! 

Father. Till at length, my children, this 
dreadful night being past, the first rays of the 
. sun returned, and, to the inxepressible trans- 
ports of the crew, recalled them to life and 
hope, by the discovery of a distant land which 
appeared to rise out of the bosom of the 
ocean. 

The Children. Oh, how rejoiced they 
must have been ! 

Father. At first the admiral himself could 
not determine what this land was, but on ap- 
9* 



102 COLUMBUS. 

proaching nearer he found it to be one of the 
Azores. 

Christian, Heaven be praised, they are 
safe ! I was in terrible fear for them. 

Father. They are not yet so, dear Chris- 
tian. Though the land was before ihem, the 
wind, which continued its violence, rendered 
the approach to the coast so extremely dan- 
gerous, that, notwithstanding the ardent desire 
ewevy one had once more to disembark, they 
were constrained to pass four days longer in 
tacking and manoeuvring in the midst of the 
dangers that surrounded them. The Pinta 
had disappeared, and it was doubtful wheth- 
er she had perished, or whether Pinzon, prof- 
iting a second time by the obscurity and the 
tempest, had not deserted the admiral to car- 
ry into Spain the first tidings of the new dis- 
coveries. 

At length the weather becoming somewhat 
calm, the admiral embraced the moment to 
gain the shore, and cast anchor. The Por- 
tuguese soon flocked to him with the view of 
selling them refreshments, and of informing 
themselves at the same time whence they 
came, and whither they were bound. As 
Columbus understood from them, that at a 
short distance from the coast there was a 
chapel dedicated to the Virgin, he permitted 
half of his crew to land in order to perform 
their vow of pilgrimage. With respect to 



COLUMBUS. 108 

himself, exhausted with fatigue and watching, 
he was forced to remain on board ; but he 
ordered those who left the ship to return as 
soon as possible, that their comrades might 
also acquit themselves of the same devotional 
act. Having promised to attend to these or- 
ders, the whole party set forward bare-foot, 
and marched in procession towards the chap- 
el. Their return was expected in the course 
of a few hours ; i)ut Columbus was not a lit- 
tle surprized, when two hours after the ex- 
pected period elapsed, and no one returned. 
Night, which now approached and brought 
no tidings of them, increased his astonish- 
ment, and gave birth to suspicions which the 
return of day was necessary to clear. Morn- 
ing at length appeared, when the cause of 
their absence was no longer a mystery ; for 
Columbus with infinite astonishment learnt, 
that the Portuguese Governor had actually 
seized upon his unarmed men, and put them 
in prison. 

Columbus received the intelligence of this 
treachery with the most lively indignation, 
and, as his expostulations were ineffectual, 
protested with an oath, that he would not de- 
part till he had taken a hundred Portuguese, 
and ravaged the whole isle ; a menace which 
had such an effect on the governor, that he 
sent deputies to question him whether he and 
his ships were really in the service of the 



104 



COLUMBUS. 



King of Spain ; and when they were satisfied 
on this head, the prisoners were released. It 
is said, that the governor had received orders 
from the King of Portugal, his master, to 
seize if it were possible the person of Colum- 
bus, apparently with the view of keeping him 
and his men in confinement during their lives, 
that he might privately possess himself of the 
countries he had discovered. But this design 
having failed on account of Columbus remain- 
ing on board, the governor judged it prudent 
to liberate the men, and excuse himself by pre- 
tending that he did not believe they were 
Spaniards. Here, again, my children, we see 
that what we call misfortunes are often real 
blessings, though to our imperfect view they 
seldom at the moment appear so. A violent 
sciatica deprived Columbus of the pleasure 
of disembarking after a long and perilous voy- 
age ; this he doubtless regarded as a misfor- 
tune, but how was he deceived ! It was to 
him a manifest blessing ; for, had he been in 
health, he would have left his ship, been ar- 
rested, and probably passed the remainder of 
his days in a melancholy dungeon. Happy 
are we that our destinies are in the hands of 
God, who, even when he finds it necessary to 
aflflict us, can turn our misfortunes to a wise 
and salutary end. Rejoicing in the happy is- 
sue of this disagreeable affair, Columbus again 
set sail, hoping in a short time to reach the 



COLUMBUS. 105 

term of all his labours ; but Heaven had de- 
creed liim yet another trial. 

A terrible storm again arose, the vessel 
was driven from its course, the sails were rent 
in pieces, the masts shivered, and every wave 
threatened its destruction. In this desperate 
situation the vessel had continued forty-eight 
hours, when on a sudden near midnight some 
rocks were discerned, towards which it was 
forcibly driven. Had it proceeded in this 
direction a minute longer, it had inevitably 
struck ; but that presence of mind which nev- 
er deserted Columbus in the moment of dan- 
ger, enabled him to double the Cape, and by 
these means happily to save the vessel, and 
all that it contained. He soon discovered 
that he was on the coast of Portugal, at the 
mouth of the river Tagus, where he at length 
cast anchor. 

At day break he despatched a courier to 
the court of Madrid, to acquaint the king of 
Spain with his safe arrival ; and another to 
Lisbon to ask permission of his Portuguese 
majesty to proceed up the river to the city, 
in order to refit. Leave being granted, he 
immediately sailed for Lisbon, where the 
news of the arrival of a vessel after so sur- 
prizing a voyage was no sooner known, than 
the inhabitants flocked in crowds to the port. 
The shore swarmed with men, and the river 
with barks, every one ardently desiring to bC' 



106 COLUMBUS. 

hold this extraordinary man, who had project- 
ed and accomplished so stupendous and haz- 
ardous an enterprize. Some congratulated 
him on his success, while others lamented the 
misfortune of their country in rejecting the 
overtures of so elevated a genius. The King 
of Portugal himself could no longer refuse 
Columbus his esteem, although he with regret 
foresaw the prodigious increase of riches and 
power which Spain would derive by his 
means ; advantages which, misled by evil 
councils, he had rejected with so little con- 
sideration. He gave orders that all imagina- 
ble honours should be paid him ; that he 
should be furnished with refreshments, and 
wrote with his own hand to request that he 
would visit him. Columbus hastened to at- 
tend the invitation, and, on his arrival, found 
the whole court, by the express order of the 
king, assembled. The king, during the in- 
terview, insisted upon his being seated, and 
to discourse with his head covered ; while 
he listened to the account of his discoveries, 
and alternately testified the greatest admira- 
tion and the most lively regret. Columbus, 
on his side, modestly enjoyed the satisfaction 
of seeing those unworthy parasites who had 
formerly brow-beaten and ridiculed him as a 
vain projector, now dazzled with the eclat of 
his exploits, and overwhelmed with shame 
and confusion at the recollection of the indig- 



COLUMBUS. * 107 

nities they had made him suffer. The king, 
by the most flattering proposals, endeavoured 
to engage him in his service, but all was in 
vain ; such was the integrity of Columbus, 
that, had he tempted him with the half of his 
kingdom, his fidelity would have remained 
unshaken towards the country, to the service 
of which he had now wholly devoted himself. 

Mother. Excellent man ! 

Father. At length, having taken a re- 
spectful farewell of the king, and the most 
necessary repairs of his ship being completed, 
he set sail, and steered towards the same 
Spanish port from which he had departed. 
He arrived there on the 15th of May, 1493, 
after an absence in all of seven months and 
eleven days. There we will leave him to re- 
pose after his fatigues. To-morrow I will 
give you an account of his landing. 

Peter. Oh, that will be delightful ! it 
must be interesting ; I only wish to-morrow 
were come. 



DIALOGUE IX. 

JVicholas. Well, my dear father, is not 
Columbus going to land f 

Father. All in good time, Nicholas j we 



108 COLUMBUS. 

must first see him enter Port de Palos. 
Scarcely had news arrived of the approach of 
his vessel, when all the inhabitants flocked 
thither to convince themselves that so agreea- 
ble a report was not a delusion. The ves- 
sel soon approached sufficiently near for one 
to discern upon the deck a son, another a 
brother, a third a friend, a fourth a husband ; 
then was the air rent with joyful acclama- 
tions ; — then did a thousand beating bosoms 
press forward to welcome with tears of joy 
the dear objects of their long solicitude. 

Columbus landed amidst the noise of the 
artillery of the place, the ringing of bells, and 
the acclamations of the multitude. Far from 
presuming on the honours that were paid him, 
his first care was to acknowledge publicly that 
the glory of the enterprize was not due to 
him but to the Almighty, who had crowned it 
with success. With this view he immediately 
proceeded to the church, in which, before his 
departure, he had implored the assistance of 
the Most High, attended by his crew and all 
the inhabitants of the town, who accompanied 
him in procession. Having acquitted himself 
of this duty, he set out for Barcelona, a city 
of 

JVicholas. Catalonia, father, a province of 
Spain ; — is it not ? 

Father. It is ; the court was then kept 
there. 



eOLUMBUB. 



109 



John. But do not historians tell us, father, 
what is become of Pinzon ? 

Father. They do not agree in their ac- 
counts concerning liim. Some assert that he 
entered Port de Palos a short time after Co- 
junibiis ; others, on the contrary, tell us, that 
having hinded some days before iiim in Galli- 
cia, in order to carry to the court the agreea- 
ble news of the discoveries, the king refused 
him an audience till the arrival of Columbus; 
a disappointment which was so severe a mor- 
tification to this vain ambitious man, that he 
was seized with a malady which put an end 
to his life in a few days. 

Henry. Your servant, Mr Pinzon. 

John. See what he has gained by being 
so vain and perfidious. 

Father. Let us hope that his heart was 
changed, and that he was sensible of his er- 
rors. Columbus, wlierever he passed, was 
surrounded by an incredible multitude, who 
repeated his name with transport, and rent the 
air with the most joyful plaudits. He at 
length arrived at Barcelona, where the king 
and queen expected him with impatience. 
To do him honour, the court was ordered to 
meet him, and the streets were in reality so 
crowded, that there was scarcely room left 
for him to pass. 1 will now give you the or- 
der of his entry into the city. 
10 



110 COLUMBUS. 

First came the Indians, those he had brought 
from the newly discovered islands, dressed in 
the manner of their country, — after them was 
carried all the gold, whether in plates or 
dust ; — next followed those who bore speci- 
mens of the natural and artificial productions 
of the new world, such as chests of pepper, 
balls of cotton, parroquets perched on canes 
twenty-five feet long, quadrupeds and birds 
stuffed, and a number of other things which 
had never till then been seen in Europe. 
Lastly appeared Columbus himself, on whom 
all eyes were fixed with mingled pleasure and 
amazement. 

To honour him in a peculiar and more dis- 
tinguished manner, their majesties received 
him seated on a throne which they had caus- 
ed to be erected in a public square. On ap- 
proaching, according to the custom of those 
days, he would have prostrated himself at the 
foot of the throne ; but the king prevented 
him, gave him his hand to kiss, and placed 
him at his side in a chair that had been pre- 
pared for him. Columbus then with equal 
modesty and dignity gave a circumstantial ac- 
count of his discoveries, and presented the 
productions he had brought fiom the countries 
of which he spoke. When his narrative, 
which filled the whole court with astonish- 
ment, was concluded, the king and queen, 
whose example was followed by the numerous ^ 



COLUMBUS. 



Ill 



Spectators, prostrated themselves, and return- 
ed thanks to God for having suffered so me- 
morable an event, an event that seemed to 
promise such glorious advantages to Spain, to 
take place in their days. 

After this, the highest honours were be- 
stowed on Columbus. All that had been 
promised before his departure was now pub- 
licly confirmed. ^Patents of nobility for him 
and his whole family were ordered to be made 
out as speedily as possible ; and so highly 
was he in favour, that the king never went on 
horseback unaccompanied by him, — an hon- 
our which was till then reserved only for the 
princes of the blood. But that which gave 
him more pleasure than all the rest, was, an 
order which the king gave, to equip a com- 
plete fleet immediately for a second voyage. 
In the interim the king sent an ambassador to 
Rome, to entreat the pope to allot to the 
Spaniards (in exclusion of all other powers) 
the countries that were already, or might in 

* " To perpetuate in his family tli« glory of his achieve- 
ment, a coat of arms was assigned him, in which the royal 
arms, the castle and lion, were quartered with his proper 
bearings, which were a group of islands surrounded by waves. 
To these arms was afterwards annexed the motto ; 

PorCastilla y por Leon, 

Nuevo mundo hallo Colon, 

(For Castile and Leon 

Columbus found a new world.)" — Irving, 



112 COLUMBUS- 

future be discovered in the unknown ocean, 
to be by them and their posterity hereditarily 
possessed. The Pope, Alexander the Sixth, 
granted his request ; and drawing on the map 
a straight line from one pole to the other a 
hundred leagues from the Azores, and as 
much from Cape Verd, decreed, that all the 
country that should be discovered from thence 
westward should belong to the King of 
Spain. 

Charlotte. But how could the j)ope give 
countries that did not belong to him ? 

Father. In those days, ray child, the 
pope, as you know froin history, was a very 
powerful personage, who was thought to have 
the disposing of the whole earth at pleasure, 
in his quality of vicar of Jesus Ciirist. A 
king or prince therefore, who would secure 
the possession of his dominions, had necessa- 
rily recourse to the pope to confirm his right. 
It is not so now. 

Mathias. 1 am glad of it ; for the pope 
might one day or other take away our good 
city of Hamburgh. 

Father. In the mean while the equipment 
of the fleet was carried on so vigorously, that 
in a short time seventeen vessels, some of 
them very considerable, were ready to sail 
from the port of Cadiz. The desire of ac- 
quiring riches and honour led incredible num- 
bers of all conditions to offer themselves as 



COLUMBUg. 113 

companions of this voyage, and many even 
expressed a desire of settling in the New 
World. Columbus not being able to accept 
all, chose out of the number fifteen hundred, 
and took care that the vessels were provided 
with every necessary, not only for so long a 
voyage, but also for the foundation of several 
colonies. For this a quantity of tools and in- 
struments of every kind were necessary ; sev- 
eral quadrupeds unknown to the New World, 
such as horses, asses, bulls, cows, &ic. all 
sorts of European grain, with the seeds of 
those vegetables which it was supposed would 
succeed in those distant climates. As the er- 
roneous opinion that the newly discovered 
countries were a part of the Indies, supposed 
to extend into those seas, still prevailed, in 
order to distinguish them from that already 
known, they were called the West Indies, the 
route towards them being westward. Proper 
India was, on the contrary, from that time 
called the East Indies. 

Christian. But all America is not called 
the West- Indies ^ 

Father. No ; under that denomination are 
now only comprehended the American islands, 
situated in the great Gulf of Mexico. But 
to proceed, — the preparations for their de- 
parture being completed, the fleet sailed out 
of the port of Cadiz the 25th of September. 
10* 



114 



COLUMBUS. 



Columbus, as before, steered to the Canaries, 
where he cast anchor the 5th of October. 
Here he laid in a fresh store of water and 
wood, and took on board more quadrupeds, 
especially hogs. From those hogs which 
were embarked at the Canaries, descend- 
ed all those which, to this day, exist in 
South America. 

Theophilus. But others might be taken 
there afterwards. 

Father, Your remark is just, Theophilus. 
Columbus and his suite sailed from the Ca- 
naries the third day, and the wind continuing 
still favourable, they made in twenty days 
eight hundred marine leagues ; in this course 
so little worth observation occurred, that, 
without further ceremony, they shall disem- 
bark. On the second of November, there- 
fore, only twenty-six days after their depart- 
ure from Spain, they cast anchor at an isle to 
which Columbus gave the name of Dominica, 
the day of its discovery being Sunday, which 
you know in Latin is equally Dies Dominica, 
or the Lord's day ; and Dies Solis, or the 
day of the Sun. 

Charles. Is it not one of the little Antilles 
or C^r^^^^c■ h-'e'=!. which the French in the 
he English ^ 

Joiia. i^ei tauii) it is ; — look at it on the 
map. 

Father. Not finding the anchorage here 



COLUMBUS. 115 

very safe, Columbus soon again set sail, and 
shortly after discovered several other small 
isles, the most considerable of which was Ma- 
rie Galante. 

John. I never heard it spoken of in our 
geographical lessons. 

Father, Observe it well, it now belongs 
to the English. Then Guadaloupe, which 
now 

Theophilus. Also belongs to the English. 

Father. Columbus called it Guadaloupe, 
because he had promised the monks of a con- 
vent in Spain, that he would bestow the name 
of their abode on some one of the isles he 
should in future discover. Next Antigua 
(Ancient.) 

Ferdinand. Belonging to the English. 

Father. Then Porto Rico (Rich Port,) 
which, as you know, is to this day possessed 
by the Spaniards. Lastly, Martinico, on 
which the English have lately seized. On 
the coast of Guadaloupe they perceived a 
beautiful cascade, formed by a prodigious 
quantity of water that issues from a very high 
and pointed rock. The noise of the torrent 
is heard at the distance of three leagues. At 
first they did not discern a single inhabitant, 
all having on the approach of the vessels de- 
serted their dwellings, and fled to the moun- 
tains. At length the Spaniards, who had 
been sent out to reconnoitre, returned with. 



116 



COLUMBUS. 



two boys whom diey had taken ; these in- 
formed them that they were not natives of that 
island, but of another, from which they had 
been forced by the inhabitants of Gnadaloupe. 
Besides these they found six women, who im- 
plored the succour of the Spaniards, inform- 
ing them, that they were captives condemned 
to perpetual slavery — it being the custom of 
the islanders to roast and devour all the men 
whom they took prisoners in war, and to keep 
the women as slaves. These poor creatures 
so ardently solicited their compassion, that 
they could not refuse to take them on board. 
The other islands at which Columbus touch- 
ed, confirmed the information of the women ; 
and the Cacique Guakanahari had before in- 
formed him of the hostile character and bar- 
barities of this nation. Almost in every place 
where he attempted to land he was received 
as an enemy, and he found every where traces 
of the inhuman practice of feasting upon the 
prisoners taken in war. They beheld with 
inexpressible horror the bones and skulls of 
men who had been the victims of this detesta- 
ble practice, scattered round their dwellings. 
These abominations, added to the ardent de- 
sire he had of returning to the Spaniards he 
had left in Hispaniola, determined Columbus 
to hasten his departure from these recently 
discovered isles ; the more so, as all his at- 
tempts to establish a commerce with the na- 



COLUMBUS. 117 

tives were fruitless. He continued his course 
therefore with all diligence, and on 21st of the 
same month anchored on the coast of Hispa- 
niola, in a road which was not above a day's 
journey from Navidad. On their arrival Co- 
lumbus sent some Spaniards on shore ; but 
they soon returned to inform him that they 
had discovered near the coast the bodies of 
two men, each fastened by the neck with a 
cord made of the bark of a tree to a piece of 
wood in the form of a cro3s, — but such was 
the state of corruption they were in, that they 
could not say whether they were Indians or 
Europeans. 

These tidings alarmed Columbus, and gave 
birth to suspicions which were the next day 
but too fatally confirmed. He passed a mel- 
ancholy night, and at day-break being arrived 
at the height of Navidad 

Charlotte. What is the meaning of the 
height, father. 

Father. It means that his fleet was oppo- 
site to or off the coast on which be had erect- 
ed the little fort. Do you recollect how 
things appeared to us the day we were on the 
coast of the Baltic Sea ? Did not the sea 
appear gradually to rise ^ 

Charlotte. Oh, yes ! when we were at a 
little distance, it had the appearance of a 
mountain. 

Father. Well then, since the sea appears 



118 COLUMBUS. 

to rise, that part of it from which the coast 
can be discovered is not improperly called the 
height. Columbus was scarcely arrived at 
the height of Navidad, when he ordered out 
the boat, and proceeded to the shore ; but 
what was his terror to find neither the Span- 
iards he had left there, nor the fort which had 
been constructed ! The ruins only remain- 
ed, with some arms and tools broken in pieces 
and scattered on the shore. This sight alone 
told every thing ; and as a confirmation of the 
melancholy fate of the colonists, eleven of 
their bodies were found at some distance, 
bearing evident marks of a violent death. 
While Columbus and his companions were 
lamenting the fate of these unfortunate men, 
and the greater part of the crew were already 
thinking of the means of revenging on the na- 
tives the loss of their comrades, the brother of 
Guakanahari arrived, and gave a circumstan- 
tial detail of the misfortunes that had befallen 
the colony. The substance of it was this ; 
Columbus had no sooner set sail than the 
Spaniards who remained, forgetting his salu- 
tary advice and the orders he had left on his 
departure, instead of conducting themselves 
towards the natives with that humanity and 
justice necessary to preserve the profound 
veneration they had conceived of the Euro- 
peans, soon gave way to such excess and in- 
justice, that the Indians easily discovered, that 



COtUMBUS« 



119 



far from being better, they were even worse 
men than those of a darker colour. The of- 
ficer whom Columbus had appointed their 
commander, attempted to keep them within 
bounds, but neither his exhortations or mena- 
ces had any effect. Disdainfully refusing to 
obey him, they over-ran the island in the most 
disorderly manner, desolating it by their ra- 
pine, and every kind of violence. Their ex- 
cursions were especially frequent in the dis- 
trict of the cacique of Cibao, on account of 
the gold that was found there. This cacique, 
incensed at their atrocities, at length had re- 
course to arms, surprized them at the moment 
when, least expecting danger, they were dis- 
persed in parties ; and, having invested the 
fort, set fire to it. Part of the Spaniards lost 
their lives in defending it ; and the rest, at- 
tempting to escape in a canoe, perished in the 
waves. 

The recorder of these sad events added, 
that his brother, ever the friend of the Span- 
iards, although exposed to their insults, had 
taken arms in favour of them, and that in an 
engagement with the Cacique of Cibao, he had 
received a wound, which still confined him. 
Columbus's men, inclined to suspect the truth 
of the latter part of this recital, were slill de- 
sirous of taking a bloody vengeance on the 
natives ; but Columbus himself was too wise 
and too humane to enter into their views. 



120 



COLUMBUS. 



He endeavoured, on the contrary, to convince 
them of the necessity there was of effecting 
the establishment of a new colony there ; of 
reinstating themselves, if it were possible, in 
the good opinion of ilie natives, and of regain- 
ing their confidence. With this view he 
strongly recommended to all his people to 
condnct themselves with the utmost circum- 
spection. He then made a visit to the Ca- 
cique Gnkanahari, whom he really found con- 
fined by a wound, which did not appear to 
have been received fi'om an European 
weapon, but from an Indian one of wood* 
The frank and steady conduct of the 
cacique spoke for the truth of his recital, 
which perfectly agreed with that of his bro- 
ther. Beside this, anxious to put his sincer- 
ity beyond all doubt, he presented Columbus 
with eight hundrefl little shells, to which 
the Indians attach a great value, a hundred 
plates of gold, and three calabashes, filled 
with gold dust, making together about two 
hundred weiglit. On his side, Columbus pre- 
sented the cacique with different European 
baubles, which were not found less agreea- 
ble. After this interview, Columbus conduct- 
ed liis peoj)le into a more pleasant and healthy 
district, resolving to build there, near the 
mouth of a river, a regular and well fortified 
town, which should prove a retreat equally 
secure and commodious to those whom he 



COLUMBUS. 121 

should leave behind. No one was suffered to 
remain an idle spectator of this labour ; and, 
by the united force of so many hands in a 
short time the first European city that was 
founded in tiie New World was completed. 
Columbus named it Isabella, in honour of his 
sovereign the Queen of Spain. 



DIALOGUE X. 

Father. While the city of Isabella was 
building, Columbus had to encounter a thou- 
sand difficulties, which a mind like his was 
alone capable of surmounting. The Spaniards, 
naturally indolent, and rendered more so by 
a hot climate, murmured at labours, the 
necessity of which they had been too much 
elated to foresee. Intoxicated with the most 
extravagant hopes, they expected to have 
found, in the New World, treasures ready 
culled to their hand ; and from the first mo- 
ment of their arrival to have passed a life of 
affluence and idleness. How different was 
the reality I Condemned, like the meanest 
mechanics, to toil from day to day, exposed 
to the sultry rays of a scorching sun, add to 
this, the bad state of the air, which occasion- 
11 



122 COLUMBUS. 

ed frequent diseases, and the want, which 
now began to be feit, of many conveniences 
of life, which, inured to the luxuries of 
Europe, they iaiew not how to relinquish ; 
the mountains of gold they had promised 
themselves, they were not even permitted to 
search for, because their admiral had resolved 
to See his city finished before they visited the 
interior of the. country. 

Such were the causes of discontent, which 
increased every day ; and at length ended in 
a conspiracy against the life of Columbus. 
Happily the design was discovered before its 
execution. The authors of the plot were 
seized, some were punished, and others were 
sent to Spain, to be tried for the crime they 
had projected. 

Columbus, at the same time, requested of 
the king, as speedily as possible, fresh rein- 
forcements, as also a supply of provisions. 

In the interim, in order to divert the atten- 
tion of the malcontents, Columbus selected a 
large party of his own men, and began his 
march, with the design of penetrating into the 
interior of the country. For this he had also 
another motive, which was, to show the na- 
tives the superiority of an European army. 
He advanced, therefore, with his troops in 
close ranks, the colours flying, and military 
music playing, making his cavalry, at the same 
time, perform evolutions that filled the Indiana 



COLUMBUS. 123 

with astonishment. They had never before 
seen horses, and absolutely at first thought the 
horse and its rider formed but one individual. 
After this, you may easily suppose the terror 
this monster, half man and half beast, inspir- 
ed. The greater part concealed themselves 
in their cabins, and were simple enough to 
fancy they were secure, by barricading the 
entrance with canes. Columbus, for guides, 
had taken with him some Indians of Guakana- 
hari's district. These, whenever they arriv- 
ed at a cabin, entered, and furnished them- 
selves with whatever they had occasion for, 
the owners not leaking the least opposition. 
It might truly he said, that those good peo- 
ple possessed all things in common. How 
different from the selfish spirit of the Eu- 
ropeans I 

Columbus directed his march towards the 
rich country of Cibao, and found the account 
which he had received from the natives of the 
isle confirmed. It is true, they had no open 
mines, the Indians never having given them- 
selves the trouble of digging for a metal, of 
which they knew not the use ; but every riv- 
ulet presented grains of gold, which had 
been washed down from the mountains, a 
certain proof that the mountains themselves 
contained abundance of this metal. Colum- 
bus secured the possession of so rich a coun- 
try, by erecting a fort ; and, having left in it 



124 COLVMBOS. 

a small garrison, set out on his return, being 
anxious to communicate the good tidings to 
the new colony. On his arrival he found 
them in a pitialDle stale. They had scarcely 
any provisions remaining ; they had not yet 
had sufficient time to cultivate their lands, 
and the disorders to which they were expos- 
ed, in a hot and uncultivated country, had 
made a rapid progress. All expected to 
perish either by hunger or contagion. All 
bewailed tlie folly which had led them to sac- 
rifice their fortunes, their country, and their 
health, and to seek a miserable death in a 
foreign land. All joined in cursing the au- 
thors of their distress ; the seducers, who, in 
deceiving them by an exaggerated account of 
its advantages, had engaged them in this un- 
fortunate enterprize. Even the priest, who 
had accompanied them from Spain, in quality 
of chaplain, was at the head of the malcon- 
tents, and endeavoured to solace his own 
woes by exclaiming against Columbus. 

Happily this was not the first assault the- 
heart of that great man had encountered ; his 
experience, and the innumerable dangers ta 
which he had already been exposed, armed him 
with a prudence and fortitude superior to all 
attacks. He once more quelled the revolt, 
and restored tranquillity. This end was no 
sooner gained, than he resolved to set out in 
pursuit of new discoveries, and accordingly 



GODUMBUS. 



125 



appointed Don Diego, his brother, to com- 
mand in his absence. 

Peter. AVas it the same he sent to Eng- 
land f 

John. No ; his name was Bartholomew. 

Father. Don Diego was his second bro- 
ther. 

Frederic. But why was he called Don f 

Father. It is a term of respect used in 
Spain before the names of persons of rank. 

Frederic. Oh ! I understand. 

Father. Columbus put to sea with two 
large vessels, and two barks, steering west- 
ward. The most remarkable of the discove- 
ries he made in this new voyage, was that of 
Jamaica. 

John. Which now belongs to the English ? 

Father. The same ; and the most im- 
portant of their settlements. It is situated be- 
tween 17° and 15° North lat. and 75** and 
79° West longitude from London. About 
140 miles in length, and 60 in breadth, and is 
near 5000 miles south west from London. 
The distance from Cuba is 36 leagues, and 
39 from the western part of St. Domingo. 
Port Royal was formerly considered as its 
capital. It was destroyed by an earthquake 
in the year 1692. Ten years after it was re- 
built, and again consumed by fire. In 1722 
it was reduced to a heap of rubbish by a hur- 
11* 



126 COLUMBUS. 

ricane, and again in 1 774. These repeated 
calamities caused it to be forsaken, and a;^^ 
town, on the opposite bny, now bears the prer 
eminence, which is called Kingston. But to 
proceed — Columbus having cast anchor, at 
the height of this isle, he sent his boats, welt" 
manned, to sound the port. 

Charlotte. What does that mean, father ^ 

Father. Nothing more than that they 
threw out the sounding line, at different 
places, to see if the water was deep enough to 
bear the vessels. The boats were soon sur- 
rounded by a great number of canoes, filled 
with armed Indians, who attempted to pre- 
vent their approaching land. The Spaniards 
having in vain essayed gentle means to dis- 
suade them from their design, discharged a 
shower of arrows, which immediately dis- 
persed them. 

Theophilus. The Spaniards then had not 
musquets ^ 

Father. The use of fire-arms was not- yet 
general ; the greater part of the soldiers, 
therefore, used only bows and arrows. The 
haven having been found practicable, Colum- 
bus entered it to repair his vessels, employ- 
ing the residue of his time in reconnoitrings 
the country, which, from the nature of the 
soil, appeared to him, superior to Hispaniola.^ 
He did not fail to take possession of this alsoj 
in. the name of his Catholic Majesty, 



COLUMBUS. 



127 



Frederic. Who was that ? 

John. Do not you know that the king of 
Spain is called so ? 

Father. Froin thence he sailed for the 
isle of Cuhn, which he had before discovered, 
with the design of examining wiielher it was 
really an island, or [)art of a continent. From 
this period he had a succession of difficulties 
and dangers to encounter, superior to all he 
had before experienced. Sometimes he had 
to struggle, in the most perilous parts of an 
unknown sea, with violent tempests ; some- 
times he was enclosed between rocks and 
banks of sand, which every instant threatened 
the destruction of his vessel ; sometimes he 
was perplexed in shallows, while the vessels 
filled with water so rapidly, that the whole 
strength of the crew, incessantly occupied at 
the pumps, was scarcely sufficient to keep 
them afloat ; sometimes he suffered, with his 
men, the .severest hunger and thirst ; and 
when, by a happy turn, they procured re- 
freshments, he was always the last to reap 
the benefit, ever being more anxious for oth- 
ers than himself. He had also to combat the 
discontent and despair of his men, who, by 
the most bitter reproaches, revenged the evils 
they suffered under his command, although 
he so generously shared all the privations and 
toils of which they complained. Represent 
to yourselves, my children, this great man, 



128 COLUMBUS. 

ever calm nnd unshaken in the midst of dan- 
ger, endeavouring, by his arguments and ex- 
ample, to inspire hope, and raise the droop- 
ing courage of his companions 5 and judge 
from your own feelings, whether the obser- 
vation of an ancient author is not just, viz. 
that there is not a nobler si2;ht in nature than 
a good man struggling with ill fortune. In 
the various descents Columbus made on Cuba, 
he learned, from the natives, that it was real- 
ly an island. Some parts of it swarmed so 
with birds and caterpillars, as to obstruct the 
light of the sun, and to render the day as dark 
as it is with us in the blackest tempest. On 
the northern side he found several small 
islands scattered, to which he gave the name 
of the Queen's Garden. One day, sailing 
among these little islands, he met a canoe, 
containing some Indians, whose singular mode 
of fishing deserves to be related. They em- 
ploy, for this purpose certain fish, about the 
size of the herring, called kives, whose teeth 
are reported to be extremely sharp. One of 
them is tied by the tail to a string, and thrown, 
into the sea, when the fish immediately as it. 
sees another, attacks it vigorously with its 
teeth, and the fishermen draw out their prey« 
They saw a tortoise of an hundred pounds 
weight taken in this manner, the fish keeping; 
so strong a hold with his teeth, that one could 
not be drawn out without the other. As soois 



COLUMBUS. 129 

as the fishermen saw the boats which preced- 
ed the vessel, they made signs to them, fa- 
miliarly, not to advance farther. This was 
complied with ; and when they had taken the 
tortoise, they came on board to present their 
capture to the admiral, who in return for this 
mark of respect, presented them with some 
European trifles, which he knew would please 
them. 

While Columbus coasted the isles, in the 
neighbourhood of Cuba, he observed a singu- 
lar phoenomenon, which should not be passed 
over in silence ; it was that the surface of the 
sea, to the astonishment of the crew, appear- 
ed in some places s[)otted with green and 
white, in others, white as milk, and in others, 
perfectly black. This singular appearance 
could not be accounted for. At length, after 
a long and perdous navigation, among rocks 
and sand-banks, they again cast anchor on 
the coast of Cuba, where they landed- An 
old cacique arrived at the moment divine ser- 
vice was performing publicly before an altar 
they had erected on the shore. He observed 
all that passed in respectful silence, and when 
they had concluded, modestly presented the 
admiral with some fruit of the island. Then 
being seated on the ground, he placed his 
chin upon his knees, and, in that posture pro- 
nounced, in a firm voice, a discourse, which 



130 COLUMBUS. 

was translated to tho admiral, nearly in these 
terms : 

" Tiiou art arrived in countries which ihou 
hast never before seen, with a force which 
spreads terror among us; learn, nevertheless, 
that we acknowledge, in the life to come, two 
places for the residence of spirits, one filled 
with terror and darkness, which is the portion 
of the wicked, the other, happy and tranquil, 
where the spirits of those who love peace, and 
the good of mankind, will repose. If thou al- 
so believest, that the good or evil which thou 
doest here will be rendered to thee in the 
next life, I trust thou wilt do no injury to 
those who will do thee none. What thou 
hast hitherto done is blameless ; since it ap- 
pears that thy design has been to return 
thanks to a superior power." 

The admiral replied, that he was delighted 
to find that he believed in the immortality of 
the soul ; that far from intending to injure 
the natives, his master, the King of Spain, . 
had sent him on the most praiseworthy mo- 
tives, to cultivate friendship and harmony 
among the different islanders who were peace- 
ably inclined, and to correct those, who, like 
the Caribees, were savage and inhuman. 

The cacique, to whom this answer was ex- 
plained, was affected even to tears, and caus- 
ed the admiral to be told, that if affection for 
his wife and children did not detain him, he 



COtVMBUS. 131 

would voluntarily make a voyage to Spain 
with him. His admiration was increased 
when Columbus presented him with some Eu- 
ropean trinkets, and falling upon his knees, 
he enquired several times whether the stran- 
gers were not descended from Heaven. 

The continued and extraordinary exertions 
of mind, which Columbus had undergone for 
some time past, produced at length the most 
fatal effects on his heahh. A universal de- 
bility seized his whole frame, attended with a 
want of rest, whicli, in a short time, impaired 
his memory. In this melancholy state, as 
there was great reason to fear for his recove- 
ry, he set out for Isabella, where Providence 
had prepared an event which contributed more 
to his recovery than all the resources of med- 
icine ; this was no less than the arrival of 
Don Bartholomew, the best beloved of all his 
brothers, who had brought from Spain the 
succours he demanded. A similarity of dis- 
position, and a cultivation of the same talents, 
had tenderly endeared these two brothers to 
each other ; you may judge, therefore, with 
.what transport they threw themselves into 
each other's arms, after a separation of thir- 
teen years ! 1 have already informed you, 
Bartholomew had been sent to make propo- 
sals to the King of England, who had approv- 
ed them ; he was returning to Spain with 
these agreeable tidings, but in his way, touch- 



132 COLUMBUS. 

ing at France, learned that Columbus had al- 
ready put his project in execution. Rejoiced 
at this information, he hastened his voyage to 
Spain, in the hope, at least, of making one in 
his second expedition ; but on his arrival he 
found that he had already sailed. 

At the invitation of the king, he repaired 
to court, where he was received with all the 
honours due to the brother of the man who 
had discovered a n5w world. Some time af- 
ter, when despatches were received from Co- 
lumbus, descril)ing his embarrassment and 
want of immediate succours, Bartholomew 
was nominated to carry them; and he, to 
whom fraternal love might truly be said to 
have lent wings, acquitted himself of so agree- 
able a commission with the utmost diligence. 

He could not have arrived at a more criti- 
cal moment ; the presence of a brother so ac- 
tive, so courageous, and so dearly beloved, 
was a stroke of good fortune, without which 
Columbus had probably been lost with his 
whole colony. A happiness so imexpected 
speedily restored his health, and rendered 
him capable of preventing the approaching 
ruin of his infant establishment. The great- 
est disorder had taken place during his ab- 
sence : two-thirds of the colony were become 
the victims of the epidemic disorders which 
commonly reign in that climate. Margarita, 
to whom Columbus had confided the com- 



COLUMBUS. 133 

mand of the troops, had revolted, and not be- 
ing able to attain his ends, departed for Spain 
in one of the vessels, with Father Boyle, the 
accomplice in his revolt ; while his disbanded 
troops were dispersed in small parties over all 
the country, committing every kind of injus- 
tice and violence on the islanders, who, in- 
censed by ill treatment, converted their pa- 
tience into rage, and uniting in a large body 
massacred several of the Spanish banditti. 
These unfortunate events threatened the total 
destruction of the colony. The worst part 
was, that the Indians, formerly so tranquil and 
pacific, were at length become sensible of the 
misfortunes that awaited them. Warned by 
experience, they extended their views to the 
future, and saw with alarm that if these stran- 
gers, once so revered, continued long in the 
island, famine and slavery must inevitably be 
the consequence. The indolent and inactive 
life which they habitually led, together with 
the heat of the climate, made a very small 
portion of food necessary ; a handful of 
maize and a litde cassava* sufficed them. 

* The cassava or manioc Is an American plant, which grows 
to the height of about four feet. It has large leaves, and a 
thick stem ; the form of its root resembles the red beet, and is 
about five or six inches in diameter. In its crude state it has 
an unpleasant taste, and is unwholesome 5 but when bruised 

12 



184 COLUMBUS. 

They saw therefore with infinite surprize that 
a Spaniard consumed at a single meal more 
than four of their own people could eat in the 
whole day. This apparently ravenous appe- 
tite gave birth to the idea, that the Europeans, 
had taken so long a voyage for no other rea- 
son than that of having absolutely consumed 
all the provisions of their own country ; and 
that like insects they were obliged to emigrate 
in order to satisfy their voracity. From 
hence they drew the inference, that the pro- 
duce of their isle would not long suffice for 
them and their rapacious guests ; and that a 
general famine would not fail shortly to re- 
duce them to the most cruel extremities. 
This consideration, together with the violence 
they daily experienced from the Spaniards, 
convinced them they must either throw off the 
yoke immediately, or submit to it for ever. 
They had the courage to attempt the first, and 
accordingly took up arms, united under their 
caciques, and by the junction of these differ- 
ent powers formed a numerous army. 

Such was the state of things when Colum- 
bus returned to Isabella. All was in confu- 
sion, all announced war and carnage. The 
whole nation of Haitians, except Guakana- 

or pounded, a mealy substance, like flour is taken from it, 
which dried in the sun, or by firC; furnishes little cakes that 
are very nutrive and pleasant. 



COLUMBUS. 135 

hari, who remained constantly attached to the 
Spaniards, was under arms, and ready to fall 
upon the handful of men who oppressed them. 
Their numbers, it is said, amounted to a hun- 
dred thousand warriors. 

Columbus felt less the danger which threat- 
ened him and his colony, than the injustice 
by which the Christians under his command 
had animated the peaceable Indians against 
them. The delightful hopes he had forrtfed 
of inclining these poor unenlightened Pagans, 
by a gentle and affectionate conduct, first to 
venerate, and then to embrace the Christian 
religion, were now no more ; and he saw 
himself reduced to the cruel necessity of 
making a horrid slaughter among men who 
sought only the security of their property, 
their liberty, and their lives, against a band of 
robbers , a sad alternative for a man so just 
and humane as Columbus ! 

In this deplorable situation he received a 
visit from the faithful Guakanahari, who came 
to testify the part he took in his misfortunes, 
and to offer him succours. This unshaken 
friend of the Spaniards, by protecting them as 
he really had done, had incurred the hatred 
of all the other caciques, insomuch that neces- 
sity and inclination equally led him to side 
with the Europeans. Columbus expressed 
towards him the warmest gratitude, and each 
began to set his troops in motion. Prepare 



136 COLUMBUS. 

yourselves now, my children, for the first scene 
of war in America ; for a scene which was 
the beginning of all those horrid tragedies 
that have since deluged that unfortunate 
country witli blood. But an event of such 
importance should be the subject of a sepa- 
rate conversation. 



DIALOGUE XI. 

The next day their father a|)peared at the 
usual hour, but with so gloomy an aspect, that 
all eyes were immediately fixed on him ; and 
throughout the little circle there reigned an 
anx^ious silence, which no one ventured to in- 
terrupt. At length their father, in a tone of 
voice, which ex|)res3ed how much he was af- 
fected, addressed them in these words : — 

Oh, my children ! why cannot 1 now draw 
the curtain and conceal from you forever the 
atrocities that have been committed in the 
New World ? But why should I conceal 
them ? Soon or late you must know them ; 
for the voice of innocence and humanity cries 
aloud, and will announce to the remotest pos- 
terity the injustice and barbarity of which the 
Christians have been guilty towards their in- 



COLWMBUS^ 137 

offensive brethren, the poor Indians. I will 
without disguise, then, acquaint you with 
these horrid facts, that you may learn to ab- 
hor the cruelty men are capable of when they 
resign themselves to their passions, or, re- 
nouncing the use of reason, debase themselves 
to the level of brutes. 

The two armies were already in sight of 
each other, and the dreadful moment ap- 
proached which was to decide upon the life 
of the Spaniards and the liberty of the Indians. 
On one side a hundred thousand Indians ap- 
peared armed with clubs, wooden scimitars, 
pikes, and arrows, the points of which were 
formed of fish bones or flints. On the other, 
two hundred foot and twenty European horse 
were supported by a small body of Indians 
under the command of Guakanahari ; but 
what this handful of Europeans wanted in 
numbers was added in military discipline — 
weapons, horse, and — shall I speak it — 
even in dogs ! 

Charlotte. Dogs ! 

Father. Yes, my child. They had 
brought a number of mastiffs to let loose upon 
the poor naked Indians, in the same manner 
as is usual against wild boars and beasts of 
prey. 

Charlotte. Oh, shameful ! This was not 
attacking them like men. 
12* 



138 



COLUMBUS. 



Father. The danger, therefore, you see, 
was nearly equal on the side of the Europeans 
and that of the Indians, and consequently the 
issue of the battle difficult to foresee. Co- 
lumbus made choice of night for the horrid 
scene he was preparing ; hoping that dark- 
ness would increase the terror with which the 
Indians would necessarily be seized on an un- 
expected attack. Night therefore being 
come, and his little army divided between his 
brother Bartholomew, the cacique Guakana- 
hari, and himself, he fell upon the Indians at 
the moment they least expected the attack. 
The shouts aud fury of the assailants, the 
noise of the fire-arms, the neighing of the 
horses, the barking of the dogs, struck the 
Indians with such consternation and terror, 
that, after a slight resistance, they fled in dis- 
order and dismay. Some fell by the mus- 
quetry, some by the sword ; others were 
trodden down by horses, or torn by the dogs; 
and others made prisoners ; the residue fled 
to the forests. Thus the die was cast, and 
these inoiTensive people constrained to bend 
beneath the yoke of European slavery ! Co- 
lumbus, profiting by his victory, over-ran the 
whole country, the inhabitants of which, in 
every district, submitted to him without the 
least resistance ; and thus, in the course of a 
few months, was this populous isle entirely 
subjected to Spain. 



COLUMBUS. 139 

John, Well, father, Guakanahari is not 
the man for me. 

Father. How so ? 

John. Because he joined with the Span- 
iards against his own country. 

Father. But do you not admire the stead- 
iness of his friendship ? 

John. Certainly I do, father ; in that re- 
spect I am much pleased with him ; but he 
ought also to have been faithful to his coun- 
trymen, nay, more so than to the Spaniards ; 
he should, therefore, either not have interfer- 
ed in the quarrel, or have ranged himself on 
the side of the Indians. 

Father. (To the others.) Do you hear 
what John says ? How does it appear to 
you f 

The Children. That is right. 
Father. In fact, I am of the same opin- 
ion 5 but it is very hazardous to form a de- 
cisive judgment of an affair, when the great- 
er part of the circumstances are perhaps un- 
known. Can we tell whether the Indians 
might not, in some rencounter or other, have 
commenced hostilities against the Spaniards f 
Do we know if their depredations, on the 
other hand, in some districts, had come to the 
knowledge of Guakanahari ^ Might he not 
consider it advantageous, for the whole na- 
tion, that a man so wise, powerful, and hu- 
mane, as he conceived Columbus, should bo- 



140 eOLUMBUS. 

come their common chief f 1 do not howev- 
er say this to justify his conduct ; for what 
man can ever be justified in taking arms 
against his country ? I mean simply to show, 
that Guakanahari might have been actuated 
by a noble motive ; and, in that case, he rath- 
er merits our pity than resentment. But let 
us now return to Columbus. Hitherto we 
have seen him act only in such a manner as 
to inspire our admiration, and conciliate our 
friendship ; but still he was man. Prepare, 
therefore, to behold him in his turn degene- 
rate ; and may you from thence learn, that it 
is necessary for man, how strong soever may 
be his propensities to virtue, to keep a strict 
guard on his heart and actions, lest he stum- 
ble at the moment he reach the goal, and lose 
the crown which animated him to enter the 
course. Margarita and father Boyle, Colum- 
bus's sworn enemies, were, by this time, ar- 
rived in Spain. He was sensible they would 
spare no pains to persuade the king, who was 
naturally inclined to suspicion, that the dis- 
coveries made were of little importance ; in 
consequence, he saw a storm gathering, which 
would inevitably overwhelm him, if not time- 
ly dispersed. The only probable means of 
eav^ctiiig this was, to send the king a consid- 
erable quantity of gold, as a specimen of the 
riches he had given him reason to expect as 
the fruit of his discoveries ; and for this pur- 



COLUMBUS. 141 

pose he imposed an enormous tax, on the un- 
fortunate Indians. 

Frederic. What is meant by a tax ? 

Father. That which the inhabitants of a 
country are obhged to pay their prince, or 
those wiio govern them, for the protection 
liiey enjoy ; it is also called a tribute. Co- 
kunbiis, therefore, commanded such of the 
subdued Indians as inliabiled the districts 
where gold was found to bring him, every 
three months, a certain quantity of that metal, 
and the others to remit him, each, twenty- 
five pounds of cotton ; a demand much great- 
er than these poor people were capable of 
furnishing. Accustomed, from infancy, to an 
indolent inactive life, it was insupportable to 
them to be forced as slaves, to toil the whole 
day in pursuit of gold and cotton ; produc- 
tions which, by these very means, must ne- 
cessarily diminish from week to week. But 
it was in vain for them to complain ; the or- 
der was given, and the obdurate Europeans 
pressed the execution of it with the utmost 
rigour. Here we lose sight of the humanity 
wiiich has hither to distinguished Columbus. 

John. But necessity obliged him. 

Father. Necessity ! And what necessi- 
ty, I pray you, should force the just and vir- 
tuous man to deviate from the principles of 
rectitude and humanity ? Is it virtue to per- 
form our duty as long only as we find it ac- 



142 COLUMBUS. 

cord with our temporal interest f True vir- 
tue, as I have often told you, demands sacri- 
fices. She requires a willing obedience to 
her precepts, even when we are certain that 
our compliance will be prejudicial to us, and 
that it will draw down the loss of repose, for- 
tune, honour, nay, even of life itself. What- 
ever may be my inclination, therefore, to jus- 
tify Columbus, it is absolutely impossible. 
The voice of truth which is against him, ex- 
claiming more powerfully in my heart than 
the pleadings of friendship, which would ex- 
cuse his first error; and I cannot forbear con- 
fessing to youj that his conduct, in this in- 
stance, was merely selfish, and wholly con- 
trary to the principles of Christian charity. 

JVlother. But let us not forget, my dear, 
that fatigues, and a severe malady, had enfee- 
bled the body and mind of poor Columbus. 
His intellectual faculties might not yet have 
regained their native vigour. 

Father. Your observation, my dear, is 
just. How easy is it, in passing judgment on 
our fellow-creatures, to forget those circum- 
stances that may palliate their errors !^ I 
take shame to myself for not having made the 

* Circumstances may extenuate, but cannot palliate cruelty 
and oppression. Our own corporeal and mental sufferings 
should rather teach us humanity, or we profit but little in the 
school of adversity, 



COLUMBUS. 143 

observation before ; it will teach me, in fu- 
ture, to be more circumspect, and do you, my 
children, also take warning by my error. The 
yoke under which the poor Indians groaned 
was insupportable ; from habit, naturally indo- 
lent, they were not in a condition to furnish 
the quantity of gold and cotton to the amount 
of which they had been taxed ; the rigour with 
which this was nevertheless exacted, made 
them at length have recourse to an expedient 
which despair alone could have suggested. 
From the idea they had formed of the vorac- 
ity of the Europeans, it appeared to them 
practicable, by ceasing to sow their fields with 
maize and manioc, in a short time to force 
them, by famine, to evacuate the island. They 
united, therefore, unanimously, in destroying 
the seeds which were already put into the 
ground, and withdrew into their inaccessible 
mountains, where, for their own subsistence, 
they had recourse only to wild fruits and 
roots. But, oh, my children ! lament with 
me the misfortune of these victims of oppres- 
sion, who soon fell the sacrifices to their own 
plan. It was not long before they themselves 
experienced all the rigour of that famine which 
they had prepared for their oppressors. A 
considerable part died of hunger, another was 
carried off by epidemic maladies, the insepar- 
able consequence of famine ; and the re- 
mainder were so exhausted, that they found 



144 COLUMBUS. 

themselves, less than ever, in a condition to 
support the burden under which they groan- 
ed. With respect to the Spaniards, they 
doubtless suffered also from the execution of 
this desperate project ; but by their own ex- 
ertions, and a fresh supply of provisions, 
which arrived from Europe, they were very 
soon guaranteed from an absolute scarcity. 
Thus did the unfortunate Indians lose, for 
ever, the hope of delivering themselves from 
their obdurate tyrants. 

In the mean time the storm, which had 
been gathering afar, burst over the head of 
Columbus. Margarita and Father Boyle, 
upon their arrival in Spain, had drawn so 
mean a picture of the countries he had dis- 
covered, and had represented his conduct in 
such odious colours, that they did not fail to 
inspire the king with strong suspicions re- 
specting him. In consequence of this, it was 
resolved to send to the West Indies a commis- 
sioner, invested with full powers to examine 
into the state of affairs, and also into the con- 
duct of Columbus. The person chosen to 
fill this office was far from possessing the rec- 
titude and abilities necessary to the execution 
of an affair of such importance, having been 
proposed by the enemies oi Columbus, mere- 
ly as one who would enter into their views, 
and further their perfidious designs. His 



COLUMBUS. 145 

name was Agiiado, and he was gentleman 
usher to the queen. 

Puffed up with his own importance, this 
vain man no sooner arrived at Hispaniola 
than he made the admiral feel the authority 
with which he was invested ; he treated him 
with the most insulting haughtiness, summon- 
ing to his tribunal all who had comphiints 
against him, both Spaniards and Indians. 
Every accusation brought by the malcontents 
was seized with avidity, to compose a picture 
proper to represent as a monster the man he 
had doomed to destruction. The temper of 
Columbus, as we have frequently seen, was 
not irritable ; he had been accustomed to 
bear, — but the mortification which he ex- 
perienced from the arrogance of Aguado tried 
his patience to the utmost. He resolved, 
therefore, to depart for Spain, that he might 
in person plead his cause at the tribunal of 
the king and queen, and submit it to the de- 
cision of their majesties. With this view he 
appointed his brother Bartholomew, Adelan- 
tado (or Vice Governor,) to command in the 
island during his absence ; but unfortunately 
he constituted Chief Justice, Roldan, a man, 
as you will find, totally unworthy that author- 
ity from his great abuse of it. To accelerate 
his voyage, he sailed with a direct wind for 
Spain, little conceiving how much this course 

O 



146 COLUMBl/S* 

would retard him. Poor Columbus was 
obliged to learn by experience what no mar- 
iner is now ignorant of, viz. that this naviga- 
tion is subject to a thousand difficulties, on ac- 
count of the trade winds, which in this part of 
the sea blow almost constantly from the east. 
It is now well known, that vessels on their re- 
turn from the West Indies must first steer to 
the north, to avoid these contrary winds. He 
soon felt the inconvenience of the course he 
had chosen ; but not being accustomed to 
yield to difficulties, he did not pursue it with 
less constancy. This navigation however was 
so extremely tedious, that at the end of three 
months he was still in the open sea, nor could 
flatter himself with verging towards the end 
of his toilsome voyage ; and the vexation he 
experienced on this account was increased by 
the melancholy observation, that their provis- 
ions were nearly consumed. It became ab- 
solutely necessary, therefore, to put his men 
upon so short an allowance of bread, as 
scarcely to be sufficient to afford them nour- 
ishment. Columbus himself, according to his 
usual custom, invariably observed the same 
regimen, that no one might have a right to 
complain. Even this economy did not pre- 
vent their small store of provisions from di- 
minishing, insomuch that the distress and de- 
spair of the crew increased daily. Hunger 
soon rendered the sailors outrageous, and 



COLUMBUS. 147 

suggested to them the horrid design of killing 
the Indians who were on board and eating 
them ; or, if this was not permitted, to throw 
them into the sea, at least, that they might not 
share with them the miserable remnant of 
their provisions. But in this extremity Co- 
lumbus did not swerve from that humanity, 
which originally formed one of the most noble 
traits of his character ; he refused with tirm- 
ness to consent to their design, representing to 
them that the unfortunate Indians were men 
as well as themselves, and that, participating 
in the common distress, they had a right to 
their share of the little food that remained. 
By these and .similar remonstrances, he for 
some time calmed their impatience ; and be- 
fore they had time to resume such inhuman 
sentiments, Providence interposed and discov- 
ered to them the coast of Spain. 

Mathias. Heaven be praised ! I was ter- 
ribly afraid. 

Theophilus. And so was I ; I trembled 
for the poor Indians ! 

Father. Rejoice then, that Columbus has 
a second time escaped destruction, and may 
this agreeable idea attend you to bed ! 

The Children. There now, this is always 
the way — Father has finished already, 



148 



DIALOGUE XII. 



Father. Let us now see, my children, 
without further delay, what reception Colum- 
bus this time had in Spain. With equal for- 
titude and modesty he appeared before the 
throne to defend himself against the calum- 
nies of his accusers. But scarcely had he 
need of justification, his presence alone rein- 
spiring his august judges with the same es- 
teem they had formerly entertained for his 
merits, and at the same time overwhelming 
them with shame for their credulity. When, 
however, he produced the specimens of the 
valuable productions of the newly-discovered 
countries, every suspicion was intirely dissi- 
pated, and they hastened to make him amends, 
by the most distinguished honours, for the af- 
front he had experienced. Thus, my chil- 
dren, will innocence and true merit, soon or 
late, triumph over the attempts of vile tra- 
ducers* Provided all be right here (laying 
his hand on his heart,) the calumnies of the 
wicked are not to be feared. Fogs may 
sometimes disrobe the sun of its glory ; but 
sooner or later they will disappear, and the 
day resume its original splendour. From 
this time all that Columbus proposed was 



COLUMBUS. 



149 



agreed to ; but his first care was the colony- 
he had formed in Hispaniola. In order to 
give it a permanent stability, he procured per- 
mission of the king to send over as many men 
and as great a supply of provisions as he 
thought necessary ; more especially, a suf- 
ficient number of husbandmen, mechanics, 
and artists of all kinds, that the colony might 
derive from itself the necessaries indispensa- 
ble to the support and comfort of life. Thus 
far his demands were reasonable ; but the 
proposition that succeeded was not equally 
worthy of his usual discernment. That Spain 
might not be depopulated by supplying the 
new colonies, he proposed clearing the pris- 
ons, and transporting the malefactors con- 
demned to death, or to the galleys, to His- 
paniola 5 there to be employed in exploring 
the mines. This also was approved, and or- 
ders issued to all the Spanish tribunals, to de^ 
liver up the criminals actually detained, and 
thenceforth to condemn to transportation all 
whose crimes should merit a capital punish* 
ment. But can you tell, my children, why I 
have represented this measure aa unworthy 
the discernment of Columbus ? 

Several of the Children exclaim^ I know !. 
— I know ! 

Father. Henry, tell me your opinion. 

Henry. Why, I think, father, that sending 
13^ 



150 COLUMBUS. 

SO many bad subjects to the West Indies must 
increase the disorders of the new colony ; be- 
sides, such wicked men might by degrees in- 
fect the good, and then Columbus would have 
a colony of rogues. 

John, To be sure he would ; and the sav- 
ages seeing such depraved characters among 
the Christians, would be little inclined to em- 
brace their religion. 

Father, I am delighted that you have so 
exactly entered into my sentiments. Sad ex- 
perience has proved that these fears were not 
chimerical ; but you will be sensible of this 
hereafter. At present let us return to Co- 
lumbus. Notwithstanding the orders which 
the king had given for the speedy execution 
of all that he proposed, the equipment of the 
fleet went on very slowly. This was occa- 
sioned by the enemies of Columbus, who had 
for the most part the charge of executing the 
king's orders. These base men, seeing they 
had no longer any means left of doing him a 
personal injury, resolved, as much as was in 
their power at least, to retard him in his glo- 
rious career. All therefore that depended on 
them was performed with the greatest negli- 
gence, — they took care that he should want 
first one thing, then another, till, by their re- 
peated delays, a whole year elapsed before 
the equipment of the two vessels, that were to 
carry provisions and supplies to the new colo- 



COLUMBUS. 151 

ny, was completed ; and when at length these 
transports had sailed, Columbus had the vex- 
ation of waiting another year before he could 
put to sea with the little squadron destined to 
the pursuit of fresh discoveries. 

Charlotte. Pray, father, what kind of 
vessels are those called transports ? 

Father. They are adapted solely to the 
conveyance of men, provisions, and other 
things from one place to another ; conse- 
quently are unfit for any warlike expedition. 
But do you know, Charlotte, what is meant 
by a squadron ? 

Charlotte. Yes, father ; you explained it 
to us when we were reading the Gazette. Is 
it not an assemblage of several vessels ? 

Father. You are right ; but if the vessels 
are very numerous, it is then called a fleet. 

John. And if the fleet be very small, it is 
called a flotilla.* 

Ferdinand. A flotilla and a squadron are 
the same thing. 

Father. Nearly. The difference is, that 
the word squadron is sometimes used for a 
considerable fleet ; whereas by flotilla, we al- 
ways understand a very small number of ves- 
sels. The squadron equipped for Columbus 
consisted only of six sail. 

* This term is peculiar to the Spanish navy. 



152 COLUMBUS. 

Prederic. How many sails has a vessel, 
father ? 

Father. Several, as I think you must have 
already observed ; but when we say that a 
squadron has six sail, we do not speak of the 
sail as of a sheet, but of as many entire ves- 
sels, each carrying several sails. In this voy- 
aye Columbus purposed to take a new course, 
in which he hoped to discover the continent 
which he supposed to be India. With this 
view, having touched at the Canaries, he con- 
tinued steering in the same direction to the 
Cape Verd Isles, discovered by the Portu- 
guese. You have not forgotten the situation 
of these islands ? 

Theopkilus. Forgotten them, father l 
No ; here they are (pointing them out on the 
map,) just under the Canary Isles, opposite 
Cape Verd. 

Father. Very well ; but I have not in- 
formed you, that, on leaving the Canaries, 
Columbus sent one half of his vessels bearing 
the necessary supplies to the colony at His- 
paniola, giving strict orders to the command- 
ers to accelerate their course as much as pos- 
sible. For himself, having passed the first of 
the Cape Verd Islands, called the Isle of Sal 
or Salt, he cast anchor near a small sterile 
isle, into which the Portuguese then sent their 
leprous for the re-establishment of their 
health. 



COLUMBUS. 153 

Christian. How so ? 

Father. On account of the tortoises, 
which come in great numbers from the coast 
of Africa to deposite their eggs in the sands ; 
for the blood and flesh of these animals, the 
one employed to wash with, and the other as 
aliment, are found to be a specific remedy 
against the leprosy. Those Portuguese, 
therefore, who were afflicted with that loatli- 
some malady were sent thither to be healed, 
these tortoises being easily taken on account 
of their unwieldy form, which renders it ne- 
cessary only to turn them on their backs to 
prevent their escape. Excepting these ani- 
mals, nothing is found in the island but a pro- 
digious quantity of goats, which have all been 
produced from eight European goats which 
a Portuguese formerly conveyed thither. 
There was neither tree nor fresh water ; the 
poor inhabitants, therefore, 1 should say the 
lepers, who awaited their cure, were reduced 
to the necessity of drinking the standing rain 
water, which they collected in the sands ; on 
which account only seven })ersons were found 
in good health. 

FrOm thence Columbus continued sailing 
to the south, being resolved not to turn to the 
west till he should arrive at the equator or 
line, that imaginary circle which divides the 
globe of earth into equal parts ; but having 
advanced to the third degree of north lati- 



154 COLUMBU*. 

tude — You now, I think, all know what this 
means ? 

JVichoIas. Yes, father ; Columbus was 
not more than three degrees, or three times 
sixty-nine English miles and a hali' from the 
line. 

Father. Justly observed. Having sailed 
to this point, he was retarded by a dead calm, 
insomuch that the vessels remained stationary. 
In the mean while, the rays of the sun falling 
perpendicularly, caused a heat so intense as 
to be quite insupportable. The casks split, 
the provisions and water putrified, and the 
crew in the deepest despair, expected every 
instant to see the vessel catch fire. Here 
again, my children, was a situation to try the 
fortitude of Columbus. His own uneasiness, 
and the despair of his pusillanimous compan- 
ions, were added to a painful fit of the gout, 
under which he laboured at that time, brought 
on by too great application and excessive fa-- 
tigue. Imagine therefore that you behold him 
a prey to the most excruciating pains, agitated 
by the idea of the dangerous state of his ves- 
sel, burnt by a scorching sun, and without a 
drop of fresh water to revive him. What an 
accumulation of ills ! How much does he 
deserve our compassion ! 

Heaven at length had pity on the excess 
of his misery ; for rain shortly after fell in 
such quantities, that scarcely any one couM 



COLUMBUS. 



155 



remain on deck. The heat it is true continu- 
ed with little abatement ; but the rain furnish- 
ed them with a cooling beverage. The calm 
which had caused them so much eneasiness 
at the same time ceasing, hope once more re- 
vived in the breasts of his almost expiring 
companions, who earnestly entreated him not 
to persist any longer in his design of running 
to the south. Columbus, yielding to their 
intreaties, tacked about to the west, and had 
for several days steered in this direction, 
when on a sudden from the top-mast was 
heard the joyful cry of " Land ! Land !" 
This sound was like celestial music to the ears 
of the famished and fatigued navigators, who, 
struggling against a thousand evils, had so long 
been tossed between sky and water. The 
isle now discovered bore the figure of three 
mountains ; from whence Columbus gave it 
the name of Trinidad !* which it has pre- 
served to this day. Here it is (showing it on 
the map,) not far from the mouth of the river 
Oronoko. 

Frederic. Ah ! the country where those 
droll monkeys are found. 

Father. Of what monkeys do you speak ? 

Frederic. Those, father, that are caught 
in such a whimsical manner. 

Father. Well, tell us how it is performed. 

* Now belonging to England. 



156 COLUMBUS. 

Frederic. I have read, father, that a bot- 
tle of maize is placed under a tree in the 
woods they frequent ; and when the hunts- 
man is retired, one of the monkeys comes 
down and puts in his paw, which, when filled 
with maize, cannot be withdrawn at the mouth 
of the bottle. You perliaps imagine, that 
when the huntsmen appear the monkey will 
let go the maize, and make his escape ; but 
such is his folly and fondness for the dainty, 
that he will sooner suffer himself to be knock- 
ed down than relinquish his prize. 

Mother. Are not these monkeys gluttons.'* 

Frederic. They are, indeed, mother. 

Mother. But are there not monkeys of 
the same stamp in this country ^ 

Frederic. Oh, no, mother ; not here. 

Mother. The monkeys I speak of, I con- 
fess, do not go on four legs ; but should any 
little two-legged creature be so greedy as to 
disorder his stomach, and expose himself to 
sickness, rather than restrain his appetite, 
what judgment would you pass upon him .'' 
— would he not be as great a glutton as the 
monkey f 

Frederic. Ah ! mother, mother, you have 
certainly an eye on me. 

Mother. Does the cap fit you, Frederic ^ 

Frederic. Well, mother, 1 will never in- 
dulge my appetite any more. I promise — 
mind — I call you all to witness. 



COtUMBUS. 157 

Father. Enough, my dear boy. If you 
would become a strong man, and that you de- 
sire it 1 have no doubt, you must early learn 
to despise delicacies, and be content with 
plain, healthful food. This will strengthen 
you, and create good blood ; while luxuries, 
on the contrary, will infect your health and 
enfeeble your whole frame. But to return ; 
— the Oronoko, in the environs of Trinidad, 
discharges itself with such rapidity into the 
sea, that it renders the navigation extremely 
dangerous. The waves in that part rise and 
break against each other with dreadful vio- 
lence, so that a vessel which has the misfor- 
tune to be drawn within this vortex, is in great 
danger of being dashed to pieces. Colum- 
bus, before he was aware, found his vessels 
in this perilous situation, assaulted on all sides 
by the waves, sometimes tossed on high, and 
sometimes precipitated into an abyss, driven 
like shuttle-cocks to the right and to the left 
with irresistible force. The exertion of his 
utmost skill was necessary to retreat from this 
dangerous course by a strait, which had an 
appearance so horrible, that they called it La 
Boca del Drago, or The Mouth of the Drag- 
on, Look, my children, (showing it on the 
map) here it is, between Trinidad and the 
coast of Cumana, which, as you know, is a 
part of Terra Firma. 
14 



158 COLUMBUS. 

Peter. Then Columbus discovered the 
continent of America also ? 

Father. Undoubtedly ; he was also well 
persuaded this land could not be an island, 
from seeing so large a river as the Oronokd 
issue from it, and discharge its waters into 
the sea. 

Peter. But, pray, why was not the coun- 
try named after him ? 

Father. It is certainly an injustice, of 
which the age in which he lived ought not to 
have been guilty ; but it is done, and there is 
now no remedy. 

Charlotte. And why is it called America ^ 

Father. That you shall know hereafter ; 
for the present let us endeavour not to lose 
sight of Columbus's vessels. Convinced that 
he had at length touched at the main land of 
the New World, he continued sailing west- 
ward the whole length of the coast, landing 
at different times to make his observations. 
The natives, in general, bore a great resem- 
blance to those of Hispaniola, except that they 
appeared to have more understanding and 
courage, and to have fairer complexions. 
They ornamented themselves in the same 
manner with plates of gold, and even with 
fine pearls, which they readily bartered for 
European trifles. A native one day, unat- 
tended, joined Columbus, who was come on 
shore, and, advancing towards him with con- 



COLUMBtJS. 159 

fidence, took from his head a crimson velvet 
cap, and replaced it with .a crown of gold. 
Columbus, judging he was a cacique, took 
care to have him treated with the utmost dis- 
tinction. These Indians had their heads 
wrapped in cotton handkerchiefs of various 
colours, and the fore part of their bodies from 
the waist to the knees covered with a piece of 
the same stuff. Tiieir hair was naturally long, 
but cut short ; and their weapons, bows, ar- 
rows, and bucklers. 

Columbus would willingly have made a 
longer stay here to have explored the interior 
of the country ; but the impaired state of his 
vessels, and his own infirmities, obliged him to 
leave this research to others, and steer to- 
wards Hispaniola. In his way he discovered 
the Isle of Margarita, now become so impor- 
tant from the pearl fishery which is establish- 
ed there. There it is on the map. 

Worn with sickness and the continual ex- 
ertion of his faculties, he at length landed at 
his colony, hoping there for some time to re- 
pose from his fatigues and anxieties 5 but 
glas ! — Enough however for lo-day. 



160 



DIALOGUE XIII, 

Father. The time of repose for poor Co- 
lumbus was not yet come ; on the contrary, 
he was attended in the very place, where he 
hoped for tranquillity, with new cares, new 
toils, and new dangers, capable of shaking the 
courage of the firmest, and enervating the most 
robust. His worthy brother, Don Bartholo- 
mew, had, during his absence, settled the col- 
ony of Isabella more advantageously in a dif- 
ferent part of the coantry, where he had un- 
dertaken the building of a city, which he 
named St. Domingo, in honour of his father 
Dominico. This city, which has flourished 
even to our days, was long one of the most 
considerable in the West Indies, and at length 
gave its name to the whole island. Bartholo- 
mew, having laid the foundation of this new 
colony, set out with a part of his forces to 
visit those provinces of the island into which 
his brother had not yet penetrated, leaving at 
St. Domingo the chief judge, Roldan, with 
the rest of the troops ; but this wretch recom- 
pensed his confidence with the blackest in- 
gratitude. He had long wished for an oppor- 
tunity of ruining Columbus and his brothers, 
and of rendering himself sole master of the 



COLUMBUS. 161 

island. The departure of Bartholomew, and 
the absence of the admiral, appearing favour- 
able to his wishes, he did not fail to profit by 
the occasion, inciting the Spaniards that were 
left, by every means in his power, not only 
against Bartholomew, but against Diego, his 
younger brother. Unfortunately he succeed- 
ed but too well, for the greater part engaged 
in his interest. He was soon acknowledged 
as their chief, and, having -taken up arms 
against the Adelantado, seized upon all the 
provisions, and attempted to carry the fort, 
which had been constructed at St. Domingo, 
by assault. This last attempt, however, from 
the vigilance and skill of the commander, fail- 
ed, and the rebels were obliged to remove to 
another part of the island. Here they em- 
ployed all their efforts to bring over the in- 
habitants of the district to their party, and 
were so successful, that the island, in a short 
time, became a scene of revolt. Such was 
the desperate stale in which Columbus- found 
affairs on his return. Judge, my children, if 
he could be at ease. 

To complete his vexations he learned, with 
the utmost astonishment, that the three vessels 
which he had despatched with provisions 
from the Canaries, were not arrived ; it was 
but too probable, therefore, that they had, by 
some accident, perished. Though this mis- 
14* 



162 COLUMBUS. 

fortune had not, in reality, happened, they 
were still lost to Columbus. Storms and 
currents had driven them out of their course ;, 
and, after having attempted different unknowa 
regions, in the end they arrived safe at His- 
paniola, but precisely on the coast where Rol- 
dan and his accomplices had settled ; whert 
this artful rebel, concealing his revolt from 
the commanders of the three vessels, had the 
address to make them land a part of their 
men, under pretence of conducting them to 
St. Domingo. As the greater number of 
these was the refuse of the Spanish prisons, 
they no sooner learnt the true design of Rol- 
dan, than they joyfully flocked to his standard, 
hoping there would be opportunity for rapine 
and pillage ; the first proof of that ill-digest- 
ed council Columbus had himself given. 

Some days after the arrival of the admiral,, 
the three vessels appeared in the road of St. 
Domingo, but with small supplies, the greater 
part of .the troops having already been given 
up, and almost all the provisions on board 
consumed. In the mean while the insolent 
Roldan, proud of the superiority of his num~ 
bers, which was but too manifest, openly ridi- 
culed the weakness of Columbus, whose in- 
dignation rose to the highest pitch. Had he- 
Hstened to its suggestions, he would immedi- 
ately have put himself at the head of the few 
soldiers who remained faithful, and have 



COLUMBUS, 163 

attacked the traitors, preferring rather to per- 
ish in attempting to chastise them, than to live 
in inaction under the flagrant insult he had re- 
ceived ; but, for the sake of the colony which 
had experienced this violent shock, ere it had 
acquired strength to sustain it, he reined in 
his passion, shocked at the idea of a civil war, 
and generously resolved to pass over the per- 
sonal affront he had received, and to try if it 
were not possible, by gentle means, to bring 
back the ungrateful Roldan and his deluded 
followers to their duty. With this view he 
first published a general pardon, for all who 
repenting of their error would immediately 
return to their duty. He also made the same 
offer to Roldan in particular, promising that 
he should retain the same dignity with which 
he had formerly been invested. By this con- 
descension, after many disagreeable negotia- 
tions, he accomplished his purpose, and en- 
joyed the satisfaction of having stifled a dan- 
gerous rebellion without shedding a single 
drop of blood. 

His next step was to despatch a vessel for 
Spain, to inform the court of the discovery he 
had made of a main land, and also of the re- 
volt he had just appeased. To specimens of 
the productions of the Continent, consisting of 
pearls, ingots of gold, and a quantity of fine 
linen of various colours, he added a journal, 
in which he had exactly noted the course of 



164 COLUMBUS. 

his vessels, and every thing remarkable that 
occurred. Roldan and his associates failed 
not to write also to the king by the same con- . 
veyance, to blacken the admiral and justify 
their own proceedings ; and unfortunately the 
monarch was so weak and unjust as to give 
more credit to their representations than to 
those of Columbus, though truth dignified the 
one, and the most infamous calumnies dis- 
graced the other. But let us pause here, my 
children, for a few minutes, and take a glance 
at another part of the world, where, while the 
West Indies has been the object of our at- 
tention, many things equally interesting have 
been transacting. 

The King of Portugal, too late regretting 
his blindness to the merit of Columbus, and 
the disdainful rejection of his offers, in some 
measure to repair his error, resolved to spare 
no expence in exploring a passuge to the 
East Indies, by the way of Africa. With this 
view he fitted out a squadron, and gave the 
command of it to an experienced navigator of 
great merit, named Vasquez de Gama. 

Difficulties apparently insurmountable op- 
posed this enterprize ; but Gama, like Co- 
lumbus, luckily bore the stamp of a grea£ 
character, and, like him, never suffered him- 
self to be diverted by any obstacles, how 
great soever, from the projects upon which he 
had once resolved. In vain the unknowm 



COLUMBUS. 165 

coast of Africa presented its long chains of 
rugged rocks, shelves, and banks of sand ; in 
vain did the sun dart his most scorching rays, 
and threaten the vessels with conflagration, or 
the tempests let loose their fury against them, 
— to all these difficulties he opposed an un- 
shaken courage, surmounted them, and hap- 
pily gained the most meridional point of Af- 
rica, The Cape of Good Hope. But the 
pursuits of so great a genius were not to rest 
here ; he doubled the Cape, sailed up the 
opposite coast, and at length arrived at Me- 
linda, which, as you may see on tbe map of 
Africa, is situated on the coast of Zanguebar. 
Here he was agreeably surprized, instead of 
the savage nations he had hitherto met on the 
African coast, to find a civilized race, in many 
respects resembling the Asiatics. They en- 
tered into an extensive commerce with him, 
professed the Mohammedan religion, and were 
acquainted with those arts which were known 
only to polished nations. Presuming on the 
happy success of his enterprize, he set sail 
on the 22d of May, 1498, and had the satis- 
faction of attaining the object of his voyage, 
viz. the coast of India. 

John. At what place did he land ? 

Father. At Calicut. 

Peter. Ah, on the coast of Malabar ^ 

Henry. In the Peninsula, on this side the 
Ganges ^ 



166 COLUMBUS* 

Father, The same. He was greatly as- 
tonished at the riches of the country in all 
sorts of valuable productions, the regularity of 
the government, and the civilized manners of 
the inhabitants ; but unfortunately his vessel 
contained nothing that he could offer in ex- 
change for the rich merchandizes of the coun- 
try, — for European baubles, of which the 
savages were so desirous, possessed little val- 
ue in the estimation of these civilized indi-- 
ans. De Gama therefore made a short stay 
here, and hastened his return to Europe, to in-- 
form his sovereign of the happy issue of his- 
enterprize. 

Thus, at nearly the same time that Colum- 
bus discovered the New World, another part 
of our globe, already indeed known, but from^ 
which the Europeans had hitherto derived 
little advantage, was, by means of navigation, 
more immediately connected with Europe. 
From this time the inexhaustible treasures of 
India poured in torrents into the little king- 
dom of Portugal, — to the great mortification 
of the Spaniards, who could not without jeal- 
ousy behold their neighbours derive from In- 
dia such immense riches, while from all their 
discoveries they had not yet cleared even the 
expence of their armament. A rage for dis- 
covery had now insensibly seized upon all. 
Kingdoms and republics, gentlemen and ple- 
beians, all were desirous of tempting fortune^ 



COLUMBUS. 167 

all were ambitious of fitting out vessels, and 
of embarking or causing others to embark in 
some enterprize. A man named Ojeda, who 
had accompanied Columbus in his second 
voyage, persuaded some merchants of Seville 
to fit out four vessels under his command in 
this speculation, and permission was asked 
and obtained without consulting Columbus, 
though quite contrary to the treaty the court 
of Spain had entered into with him. 1'he 
Bishop of Badajos, the king's minister in the 
department of the West Indies, and sworn 
enemy of Columbus, not content with thus far 
mortifying the object of his haired, had the 
baseness to submit to the inspection of Ojeda 
the journal and sea charts which Columbus 
had sent to the court of Spain. 

Ojeda was accompanied in his voyage by 
an Italian gentleman named Armerigo Ves- 
pucci, or, as he is called by the English, from 
the Latin, Americus Vesputius. 

So?ne of the children exclaim. Ah, ah, 
Americus ! 

Father. This Italian soon acquired so 
much importance among his companions, that 
every step was taken lather by his direction 
than. that of Ojeda. At length, however, by 
exactly following the course of Columbus, he 
arrived on the coast of Paria, on which he 
made several descents ,and entered into some 
commerce with the natives. He then coasted 



168 COLUMBUS. * 

farther to ascertain that the land was not an i 
island, but part of a continent. When he 
had advanced far enough to put this matter 
beyond a doubt, he returned triumphant to 
Spain ; where he set so high a value upon 
his exploits, that it was absolutely forgotten 
that the discoveries were in reahty not his, but 
merely a confirmation of what had before been 
discovered by Columbus. 

Characters that are truly great, my chil- 
dren, are never vain boasters ; satisfied with 
performing noble actions, they are in no haste 
to blazon them to the world, and such had 
been the conduct of Columbus. He had sent 
to the court a journal of his voyages for the 
satisfaction of the king and queen ; but with- 
out a single idea of rendering them public. 
Americus, on the contrary, a vain and ambi- 
tious man, no sooner returned to Spain than he 
published his account, relating his stoty with 
so much skill, that those who either heard it 
or read it, could not avoid regarding him, and 
not Columbus, as the man who had first dis- 
covered the Continent. The falsehood of 
this relation was known only to the few who 
had perused Columbus's manuscript ; and as 
the greater part of these consisted of the cour- 
tiers that were his enemies, they took care 
not to rectify the mistake. Thus, the person 
to whom we owe the discovery of the fourth 



COLUMBUS. 169 

part of the world was deprived of the honour 
justly his due, and it was named after the pre- 
suming boaster, Americus. 

Henry. What injustice I 

Father. It was so ; but it furnishes one 
useful lesson, as it proves the injuries that de- 
serving men frequently meet from their co- 
temporaries. They are sometimes wronged, 
and even hated ; and villains enjoy the re- 
ward due to their virtues. If, therefore, as I 
wish, you mean hereafter to dislinguish your- 
selves by pursuing a line of honour and recti- 
tude, do not build, I conjure you, on the vain 
applause of men ; but let your object be the 
approbation of that merciful Being, who, see- 
ing your good actions in secret, will not fail to 
reward them openly ; for, short will be the 
reign of the unjust, — sooner or later all will 
be revealed, and each receive according to 
his deserts. The instance before us illus- 
trates this truth. What advantage is it now 
to Americus that the New World was unjustly 
named after him ? Is not his memory more 
despised than honoured on that account ? 
while, on the contrary, that of Columbus is 
admired and esteemed, and will be remem- 
bered when that of his ungrateful cotempora- 
ry is sunk in oblivion. Judge from your own 
feelings, my children, would you rather be 
Columbus or Americus ^ 
15 



170 COLUMBUS. 

JVicholas. I would, a thousand times^ ra- 
ther be Columbus. 

Henry. And I also, though my discoveries 
were never known to the world. 

All the Children exclaim, And so would I. 

Father. You see, therefore, that virtue 
though deprived of exterior recompense, 
ceases not to be lovely and desirable. From 
this time Arnericus made repeated voyages in 
search of discoveries ; but a detail of them 
would lead us too far from Columbus, to 
whose narrative 1 will return after one more 
short digression. In order to reap all possi- 
ble advantage from De Gama's discovery of 
the way to tlie East Indies, the King of Por- 
tugal fitted out a complete fleet, freighted with 
merchandize of all kinds, calculated for a lu- 
crative commerce, and gave the command to 
a man named Cabral. Aware of the little 
certainty there was by keeping the coast of 
Africa, when he had passed the line he steer- 
ed westward across the main ocean, and pur- 
suing this direction, to his great astonishment 
arrived at an extensive tract of land, which 
he perceived from afar to be more than an 
island. What country do you judge this 
to be ^ 

Some of the Children. South America, I 
dare say. 

Father. But what province ? 

Henry. Brazil, I should guess. 



COLUMBtS. i"^! 

Father. You are right. It was the rich 
province of Brazil which Cabral thus acci- 
dently discovered. He immediately took 
possession of it in the name of the King of 
Portugal, and sent one of his vessels with the 
agreeable news to Lisbon. Thus were the 
different parts of America successively dis- 
covered, manifesting still more upon what 
solid principles the penetrating genius of Co- 
lumbus had formed its conjectures. Let us 
now return to the author of these interesting 
discoveries, whom we left in an uneasy Situa- 
tion in the isle gf liispaniola ; but I scarcely 
know ho'vv to proceed, my tongue is unwilling 
to relate the miseries that overwhelmed this 
worthy man, — X will therefore cease awhile. 
In the mean time, my children, prepare for a 
recital that cannot fail to draw tears of corn- 
passion from your eyes. 



DIALOGUE XIV. 

Prepared by the last conversation fo** the 
recital of some melancholy event, the whole 
party awaited it in silent anxiety, until their 
father at length began as follows : — 

God, my children, in his infinite wisdomj 



173 ^ COLUMBUS. 

not unfrequently permits circumstances to 
happen, the cause of which we poor short- 
sighted mortals are not able to discover ; but 
numberless examples daily occur, sufficient 
to teach an attentive observer, that in each of 
these the ultimate object is the well being of 
all his creatures. Should, therefore, an event 
surpassing the comprehension of our feeble 
reason occur, let us beware of supposing, even 
for an instant, that the dispensations of his 
Holy Providence are not always the wisest 
and the best. I have, my children, for a con- 
siderable number of years, been an inhabitant 
of this world, and have experienced the many 
vicissitudes mortality is heir to. I have 
known happy days, I also have been subject 
to the reverse ; the scene has frequently been 
so dark and gloomy around me, that my heart 
shrunk as I extended my trembling views to 
the future. In these moments the weakness 
of my nature has prevailed, and I have ex- 
claimed, " Why, O ! merciful Creator of the 
Universe, hast thou destined thy creature to 
struggle through so wearisome and thorny a 
path, while others, perhaps more faulty than 
myself, are, in all appearance, so prosperous 
and happy ?" Such, my children, have been 
the indiscreet murmurings of my ignorance, 
which could not comprehend the wisdom that 
chastised me. My doubts are, however, now 



COLUMBUS* 



173 



vanished ; and experience has taught me, that 
by supporting misfortunes with fortitude and 
patience, and firmly relying on the Divine 
will, the mists of sorrow will disperse when 
least expected, — the night of tribulation pass 
like a dream, — and the sun of unexpected 
pleasure enliven, with its cheering influence, 
the human soul. For myself particularly, O, 
my God ! how shall I express the extent of 
thy bounty ? Learn, my children, and let this 
truth be engraven on your hearts, that in the 
hour of trial it may sustain your sinking spir- 
its, that those heavy calamities, which at the 
time I considered as my greatest misfortune, 
have been the immediate basis on which Prov- 
idence has established my future successes. 
Convinced of this, 1 have learned to submit 
with resignation to whatever it shall please 
God to inflict ; assured, that his infinite wis- 
dom is the best judge of what is proper for 
the weakness of the creatures he has made. 
My dear children, I cannot dwell on this sub- 
ject without tears ; but they are tears of joy 
and thankfulness, and overflow on the reflec- 
tion that it is only since I have had this entire 
confidence in the Divine will, that I have been 
enabled to enjoy content throughout all the 
variableness of fortune. 

Here the father, surrounded hy his chil- 
dren, kneeled down, and prayed earnestly 
16* 



174 



COLUMBUS. 



that God would inspire their youthful hearts 
with equal confidence in his dispensations. • 

My children (at length resumed he,) I 
thought it necessary to preface my recital of 
this day in the manner 1 have adopted, as it 
might prevent the question that might other- 
wise naturally arise, Why did God suffer 
Columbus to experience such heavy mis- 
fortunes ? 

Where is the mortal who has presumption 
sufficient to reply ? Columbus now, doubt- 
less, enjoying the reward of his labours, may 
compreliend and praise God that, by a short 
suffering, he prepared him for endless felicity. 
Let not us, however, pj-esume to judge be- 
yond the limits of our weak understanding, but 
submit with resignation, and adore the im- 
penetrable decrees of the Most High. But 
to return to our narrative. 

Columbus, as I informed you, had succeed- 
ed in suppressing the rebellion which had been 
excited in Hispaniola ; but he could not ef- 
fect a general or lasting tranquillity. Discon- 
tent and discord still smothered among the 
embers of revolt ; and though Roldan had 
apparently returned to his duty, he lost no op- 
portunity of blackening the conduct of Co- 
lumbus to the court of Spain. Added to this, 
the authority of Columbus had suffered great- 
ly by his forbearance, which was denominated 
weakness by the malcontents, and the dis- 



COLUMBUS. 175 

turbances became more general, sometimes in 
one province, sometimes in another ; so that, 
with his brothers, he was obliged to be in con- 
tinual preparation against assault, — a circum- 
stance that so entirely employed him, that he 
could neither find leisure to take the necessa- 
ry steps to justify himself to the court of 
Spain, nor yet to pursue his discoveries, his 
mind being harrassed with discontent, and 
his bodily strength weakened by repeated fa- 
tigue. 

Collecting all the forces that remained in 
his power, he was endeavouring to re-estab- 
lish peace and good order throughout Hispan- 
iola, by the most wise and meritorious regula- 
tions — at the same time he was also devising 
means to satisfy the avarice of his compan- 
ions, and fulfil the hopes of his employers, by 
opening a rich mine — when the storm that 
had long threatened burst forth against him 
in Spain. Roldan and his partizans had, as 
1 before informed you, used their utmost en- 
deavours to clear themselv^es of the share they 
had taken in the confusion that had distracted 
the colony, throwing all the opprobrium on 
Columbus. A number of malcontents also 
who had returned from the New World, dis- 
appointed in their expectation of gaining im- 
mense wealth without pain or labour, loaded 
Columbus with curses and accusations, as the 
cause of their failure ; and, supported by his 



176 



COLUMBU». 



more powerful enemies, brought their eorri' 
plaints even to the foot of the throne, praying 
some recompense for the losses thej had sus- 
tained, and the oppression they pretended to 
have experienced on the part of the admiral. 
The rags with which they were covered, the 
paleness of their countenances, and their half- 
starved appearance, at once inspired pity and 
a degree of belief in their hearers. It is not, 
therefore, to be wondered at that the king^ 
who was naturally suspicious, should at length 
give ear to such repeated accusations ; or 
that the queen, who had constantly befriend- 
e<l him, should relax in her friendship to- 
wards him. 

it was then agreed that a commissioner 
should be sent to the West Indies to examine 
into the conduct of Columbus. The person 
appointed to this trust was nominated by his 
enemies, and called Francis de BovadillaK 
The dangerous power with which he was fur- 
nished was not only sufficient to displace Co- 
lumbus, if he found his conduct reprehensi- 
ble, but also to take his place in the govern- 
ment. Nothing more could therefore be 
necessary to insure his fall with so unprinci- 
pled a man as Bovadilla. 

At the period this unworthy commissioner 
arrived in Hispaniola, Columbus by his inde- 
fatigable cares had succeeded in re-establishing 
peace throughout the island. The malcon-. 



COLUMBUS. 177 

tents were subdued ; and the Spaniards and 
Indians had alike returned to their duty, and 
submitted to the laws. Some very rich mines 
had been opened, and the earth had also been 
cultivated with extraordinary success; a con- 
currence of circumstances that must unavoid- 
ably have justified Columbus, had not his ac- 
cusers resolved upon his condemnation before- 
hand. When Bovadilla arrived at St. Do- 
mingo, the admiral was at a considerable dis- 
tance in the island, making some necessary 
arrangements. Equity and justice, there- 
fore, required that his judge should have 
awaited his return before he proceeded against 
him. But neither equity nor justice formed 
any part of Bovadilla's character ; and he 
had no sooner landed than he caused himself 
to be conducted to the admiral's house, of 
which he took Immediate possession, declaring 
that, and all it contained, to be his. He then 
publicly announced that the king had sent 
him to depose the governor, and to give satis- 
faction to all who should have any complaint 
against him. Not content with this, he also 
immediately set at liberty all those whom Co- 
lumbus had caused to be confined ; desiring 
they would lay before him an exact account 
of the rigour and injustice they had experi- 
enced. You may judge, my children, whether 
men of that description wanted much persua- 
sion in such a case. 



178 COLUMBUS. 

Bovadilla's conduct was undoubtedly cruel 
and unjust ; yet it was nothing, comparatively 
speaking, to the flagitious insults he heaped 
upon the truly great Columbus. Hear then, 
my children, and deplore the fate of a man 
who had such just claims upon both the grati- 
tude and affection of his cotemporaries. 
^What a disgrace to be handed down to pos- 
terity, that the man to whom they owed such 
infinite obligations should be treated like a 
common malefactor ! 

The infamous Bovadilla sent a messenger 
to Columbus, commanding his immediate 
presence before his tribunal, to give an ac- 
count of his conduct ; at the same time he 
remitted to him a letter from the king, which 
enjoined him to conform to the orders of his 
plenipotentiary. 

The thunder suddenly biiisling over the 
head of the traveller in the midst of his secu- 
rity and pleasure, cannot excite more aston- 
ishment than did this news to Columbus. On 
the first reading of the king's letter he doubted 
the evidence of his senses, and perused a 
second time, before he could credit its con- 
tents, the paper that was thus defiled with in- 
gratitude and insult. The man who had dis- 
covered a New World, and who bad been 
guilty of no crime, was in effect summoned to 
appear before the tribunal of a villain, who 
was not worthy to be his most menial domes- 



COLUMBUS. 



179 



tic. Columbus, as you may judge, was deep- 
ly wounded at this outrage, and felt all the 
pangs that injured honour and just indignation 
could inflict on a susceptible heart. He did 
not, however, hesitate a moment on the part 
he should pursue. His brother Bartholomew 
was with him ; he had the command of many 
armed men, and might easily have increased 
his numbers, so as to have returned his unjust 
judge an answer sword in hand. But his 
great soul disdained every means of defeace 
that was incompatible with the duty and obe- 
dience he judged he owed to the King, how- 
ever he was misguided by false accusations 
against one whose merits might have claimed 
a belter reward. He, therefore, as I said 
before, did not hesitate a moment, but took 
the road to St. Domingo, resolved to receive 
his sentence, whatever it might be, with resig- 
nation and fortitude. On his arrival being 
announced to Bovadilla,that despicable wretch 
refused to give him an audience ; exclaiming, 
Let him be put in irons, and strictly confined. 
This inhuman order was punctually executed; 
Columbus was loaded with chains, and forced 
on board a vessel, where he was carefully 
secured. 

\_Here their father made a short pause, 
while his youthful auditors gave a free vent to 
the expressions of compassion, which they could 
not suppress.'l 



180 COLUMBUS. 

Represent to yourselves, my dear children, 
in all its magnitude, this unworthy scene. 
Behold Columbus treated like a culprit, in 
the presence of his subalterns, and before his 
own house, where a villain usurped his right, 
and refused him entrance, not even deigning 
to converse with him, but ordering him, un- 
heard, to be chained, and dragged from a land 
of which his industry and genius, in despite of 
every danger, and at the imminent hazard of 
his own life, had given the king possession. 
The resignation and conscious dignity with 
which he received these insults proclaimed 
at once, in a language more energetic than 
words, his innocence and greatness of mind. 
His sufferings were not, however, completed ; 
for, as they dragged him ignoniiniously along, 
the Spanish settlers, who, as I have informed 
you, were composed of the most infamous 
wretches, accompanied him with shouts and 
rejoicings. 

Bovadilla was, however, not yet satisfied ; 
for, well knowing that his noble prisoner 
would suffer doubly in the affronts offered to 
his brothers, he caused them also to be put in 
irons, and, in order that they might receive 
no consolation, by mutual intercourse, com- 
manded that each should be confined in a 
different ship. He at length proceeded on 
their trial, and without formality, condemned 
them to death. Fortunately he had not the 



COLUMBUS. ^ 181 

audacity to execute his sanguinary purpose ; 
he dreaded a future scrutiny, and feared, in 
his turn, becoming the victim. He had, how- 
ever, no doubt, but his friend and relation, 
the Bishop of Bajados, the irreconcilable 
enemy of Columbus, would take care to put 
his design in execution ; and, in this persua- 
sion, he resolved to send the admiral to Spain, 
with an account of the trial and sentence 
passed upon him. 

I dare say, my dear children, that you can 
scarcely believe such complicated wickedness 
existed as I have related of Bovadilla ; thanks 
be to God, such villains are not numerous, 
and are happily contrasted by good men, 
who are ever ready to repair the injustice of 
the bad ! 

The captain, who was to conduct Colum- 
bus and his brothers to Spain, had no sooner 
set sail, than approaching his noble prisoner 
with compassion and respect, he offered to 
release him from his chains ; but Columbus, 
though sensible of this kindness, refused to 
accept it. " Leave me as I am,'* said he ; 
" I wear these fetters by command of the 
king, my master, and his orders shall alone 
remove them." Thus resolved, he continu- 
ed in irons during the whole of the voyage to 
Spain. 

Bovadilla had commanded that the prison- 
16 



182 COLUMDUS. 

ers, on their arrival, should be delivered into 
the hands of the Bishop of Bnjados, in order 
to deprive them of the means of interesting 
the queen in their favour ; but an honest pi- 
lot, named Martin, grieved at the unmerited 
sufferings of the admiral, quitted the vessel 
secretly, and hastened to the court with a let- 
ter, in which Columbus informed her of all 
that had passed. 

This information caused the utmost aston- 
ishment to the king and queen, as they had 
never suspected Bovadilla would abuse his 
power. The unmerited treatment of a man, 
to whom the country owed such infinite obli- 
gations, they had no doubt would render them 
despicable in the eyes of all Europe, and or- 
ders were immediately sent to set Columbus 
and his brothers at liberty. At the same time 
he received a pressing invhation to come to 
court, and also a sum of money, necessary to 
equip himself in a manner agreeably to his 
rank. 

On entering into the presence of the king 
and queen, he threw himself at their feet, 
without power to articulate a word ; so great- 
ly did the remembrance of the injustice he 
had suffered overwhelm him. It was some 
minutss before he could recal his spirits ; 
when, fortified by conscious recliuide, he 
entered upon his defence with so much ener- 
gy ana courage, proving his innocence so evi- 



COLUMBUS. 



188 



denily, and the malice and calumny of his ac- 
cusers, that the king and queen were con- 
vinced of his probity, and expressed the most 
lively regret for what had passed, which they 
declared was without their knowledge or ap- 
probation. To leave no doubt on the mind 
of Columbus, tiiey immediately gave orders 
that Bovadilla should be divested of his em- 
ployment and trust. All this was some repa- 
ration for the injustice Columbus had sustain- 
ed, but when it became necessary to appoint 
some one to replace Bovadilla in the govern- 
ment, it was evident that they were not entire- 
ly free from the mistrust they had formerly 
entertained. They used their utmost en- 
deavours to avoid the appearance of ingrati- 
tude towards him ; but, to re-establish him as 
viceroy, seemed too dangerous an expedient 
for them to hazard, as he would then have it 
amply in his power to revenge all the injuries 
he had suffered. In consequence, they re- 
tained him at court, under divers flattering 
pretences, and nominated to the government 
Nicholas Ovando. 

It was in vain that Columbus pleaded his 
right to that distinction, which had been posi- 
tively decreed to him and his heirs from the 
commencement of the enterprize. In vain 
he urged the fresh injustice committed against 
him, and demanded why, after having been 
convinced of his innocence, he was still to be 



184 COLUMBUS. 

treated like a culprit ? These complaints 
were answered by numberless excuses, and 
at length, it was finally decided that Ovando 
should go to Hispaniola. 

This was a severe blow to Columbus, whose 
heart was yet lacerated with his preceding 
misfortunes. He experienced the most lively 
indignation, nor did he endeavour to conceal 
it. Wherever he went he carried the fetters 
he had worn with him, as a proof of the in- 
gratitude with which his services had been re- 
quited ; he caused them to be hung constant- 
ly in his sight, and even desired that they 
should be buried with him. Here, my dear 
children, we will cease for this day. 

Some of the Children exclaim, Poor Co- 
lumbus ! He was indeed shamefully treated. 



DIALOGUE XV. 

Mathias. Did not Columbus afterwards 
return to the West Indies ? 

Father. Of that I shall inform you here- 
after. At the present period of the history, 
there was no appearance of his ever more see- 
ing it ; for his complaints were disregarded, 
and Ovando departed. 



COLUMBUS. 185 

The fleet that was confided to the new 
Governor was the largest that had been sent to 
the West Indies. It consisted of thirty sail, 
and had on board two thousand five hundred 
people, the greater part of whom were de- 
signed to be established in Hispaniola. 

Ovando could not have arrived more for- 
tunately at the new settlement ; for the in- 
justice and imprudence of Bovadilla had 
nearly brought the colony to utter ruin. This 
wicked man hoped to confirm, by oppression 
and illicit measures, the authority he had ac- 
quired ; with this view he revoked all the 
wise laws enacted by Columbus, and permit- 
ted the Spaniards to live at their liberty. His 
predecessor had considered himself as a fa- 
ther to the poor Indians, and defended them 
against the tyranny of the Spaniards. Bo- 
vadilUa, on the contrary, had given up this 
unfortunate people to every species of op- 
pression and violence. Having caused an 
exact account of the number of the natives to 
be taken, he portioned them into lots as slaves 
to his creatures, who employed these wretched 
men in the mines, and treated them with the 
most savage barbarity for the smallest failure. 
The fatigue incurred by this slavery, and the 
inhuman usage they experienced, in a short 
space destroyed great numbers of the Indians, 
who were naturally weak ; and had not 
16* 



186 



rOLUMBUS. 



Ovando arrived, in all probability, in no great 
length of time, this unhappy nation would 
have been entirely cut off. 

The first act of the nev/ governor was to 
dismiss Bovadilla, and to send him, with his 
accomplice, Roldan, to Spain, to answer for 
his conduct. Then, conformably to the or- 
ders he had received from the king, he abol- 
ished slavery, declaring all the Indians free, 
and forbidding the smallest violence to be 
offered to them. By new laws he restrained 
the atrocities of the Spaniards, whom he per- 
mitted to continue their search after gold ; 
but, with this restriction^ that the moiety of 
their profits should belong to the king, as sov- 
ereign of the isle. 

John. I am glad, however, that the gov- 
ernment was given to a good man. 

Father. Let us hope to find him continue 
such. What he had already done was by 
the express orders he had received ; when 
he came to act from himself, we shall be 
better judges of his merit. But let us re- 
turn to Columbus. Yet what can I relate of 
him that will not either excite your pity or 
concern ^ Behold him, bending under the 
weight of his vexations, demanding justice 
from an ungrateful court, that was deaf to his 
complaints ; demanding, not as a favour, but a 
right, the performance of the contract which 
the king had signed, and which entitled him. 



COLUMBUS. 18*7 

to the exclusion of all others, to the vice- 
royalty of the countries he should discov- 
er. Behold, also, his unworthy adversaries, 
laughing in his face at the unheeded represen- 
tations, and then judge what he must feel 
from such unworthy treatment ! 

Henry. I know what I should have done 
in such a case. 

Father. What, my son ^ 

Henry. I would have given myself no far- 
ther trouble with them, but have chosen some 
spot to pass the remainder of my days in 
peace ; or, otherwise, I would have offered 
my services to some other nation. 

Father. As for the last alternative, Hen- 
ry, experience had already taught Columbus 
that he had little more to expect from other 
courts than from that of Spain. This noble- 
minded man also, perhaps thought, that a 
forfeiture of promise, on the part of the king, 
could not authorise him to fail in the duty he 
owed to the country, to whose welfare he had 
devoted his services. For your first obser- 
vation, Henry, it was not for a character so 
great as Columbus, to entirely renounce his 
plan, and pass his life in inactivity. He was 
convinced, that in his last voyage, he had 
discovered the coast of a continent ; and the 
false idea he had entertained, that India ex- 
tended so far, if not entirely dissipated, was 
at least greatly weakened by the observations 



188 COLUMBUS. 

he had made. He now conceived, that, in 
all probability, this continent and India were 
separated by a large sea, — which of you can 
tell me, whether this supposition was well 
founded ? 

Ml the Children. Doubtless it was ! The 
Great Pacific Ocean. 

Father. By this reply, my children, you 
may judge how much better we are now ac- 
quainted with the globe, than at that time 
were the wisest men. What Columbus could 
not fathom, a child can now reply to with cer- 
tainty. By this you may judge of the extent 
of our obligations to tliis navigator, without 
whom, the one half of the earth might have 
remained unknown for many ages longer. 

Columbus also conceived, and not without 
probability, that near the isthmus of Darien 
— You doubtless know where that isthmus is 
situated ^ 

John. If we did not know that, father, we 
must be very dull indeed. It is between 
North and South America. 

Father. Very well. He thought then, as 
I before said, that near this isthmus, the land 
might be separated by a strait, by which a 
communication might be opened from the 
Atlantic into the unknown sea, and from 
thence to India. 

JVicholas. But that idea was erroneous ; 
for (pointing it out on the map) North and 



COLUMBUS. 189 

South America are joined by the isthmus of 
Darien, which is divided in no part. 

Father. You are right, Nicholas ; yet 
you see notwithstanding that the land is very 
narrow, and that Columbus was not far distant 
from the truth. It appeared to him of the 
utmost importance to certify whether such a 
strait as he surmised really existed ; for how 
many windings, and how much distance, 
would it save in the voyage from Spain to 
India, could they sail through America instead 
of coasting round Africa, as first discovered 
by the Portuguese ! The good of mankind 
overpowered in the mind of Columbus the in- 
juries he had received, and determined hira 
once more to expose his grey hairs to all the 
dangers and inconveniences of a new voyage. 
He communicated this design to the court, 
who were glad of any pretence to get rid of 
him ; for the presence of a man to whom 
they owed so much, and whom they had 
treated so unjustly, was to the king and queen 
a continual reproach. They also promised 
themselves he would be equally successful in 
this enterprize as in his former, and accord- 
ingly gave immediate consent, and ordered a 
squadron to be fitted out for the purpose. 

But what a squadron, my children ! It 
consisted only of four shattered vessels, the 
largest of which did not exceed seventy tons 
burden, which is not half the size of an ordi- 



190 



COLUMBUS. 



nary merchant ship. This was the whole 
force given hirn for so important an enter- 
prize, in which he was again to encounter 
the dangers of a distant and unknown ocean, 
and endeavour to discover a way, by which 
his employers promised themselves to readily 
obtain the immense treasures of India. 

Few men would have ventured on so haz- 
ardous an expedition under such disadvan- 
tages ; but Columbus's first voyage was too 
firmly engraven on his memory to make him 
hesitate trusting his life a second time in ves- 
sels equally shattered as those in which he had 
before crossed the main ocean between Europe 
and the West Indies. He therefore embark- 
ed boldly, accou)panied by his brother Bar- 
tholomew and his second son, Ferdinand, then 
aged thirteen, and who afterwards became the 
historian of his father's actions. 

They sailed on the 29th of May, 1502, 
consequently ten years after his first voyage, 
steering as usual for the Canaries. His voy- 
age this time was peculiarly fortunate, had it 
not been that one of his ships, and that the 
largest, was so bad a sailer, that it could not 
keep up with the rest ; he therefore steered 
for Hispaniola, in order to endeavour to 
change it for one in better condition. 

Arrived off the island he sent to inform the 
Governor, Ovando, of his request, and to en- 
treat permission to enter the port ; but the 



COLUMBUS. 191 

governor had the insolence to refuse. Co- 
lumbus then informed him, that being assured 
from some certain signs, which experience 
had rendered him mindful of, that they were 
on the eve of encountering a dreadful tempest, 
he desired only to remain in the harbour un- 
til the storm was passed ; and as the governor 
was on the point of sending off a considerable 
fleet for Spain, he also advised him to delay 
it a few days, that it might escape the danger. 
His entreaties were, however, rejected ; and 
his advice contemned as the ridiculous dream 
of an idle prognosticator. He was strictly 
forbidden to enter the port ; and the fleet 
bound for Spain set sail. Thus was the man 
who had, through numberless dangers, dis- 
covered this New World, treated like a sus- 
pected character, and refused an asylum 
against the threatening tempest, which com- 
mon humanity ought to have granted to a 
stranger ; a new blow for the susceptible 
heart of Columbus ! 

Though Columbus suffered this insult with 
patience. Heaven, in this case, revenged his 
cause. The tempest he had foretold effectu- 
ally happened, and the wise precautions he 
had used preserved his weak barks from de- 
struction ; while, on the contrary, the rich 
and well-equipped fleet which had sailed for 
Spain, and consisting of eighteen vessels, all 
perished in the storm except three. Roldan 



192 COLUMBUS. 

and Bovadilia, who were on board, in this 
dreadful conflict of the elements, met the re- 
ward of their villainy ; both were lost, and 
with them the ill-earned riches they had ac- 
quired in the Island of Hispaniola. A re- 
markable circumstance in this event is, that 
the only vessel which received no injury, and 
was able to continue its way to Spain, was 
that in which the shattered remains of Co- 
lumbus's property were embarked, and which 
the malice of his enemies had chosen as the 
most likely to founder. The other two which 
had escaped, regained St. Domingo in a very 
wretched condition. 

Mother. Behold, in this event, my chil- 
dren, the hand of Providence, that, sooner or 
later, frequently even in this world, repays to 
each according to his deeds ! 

Father. Remember this circumstance, 
and observe, in your own journey through life, 
if you do not experience what I have frequent- 
ly proved in mine. Whenever 1 was perfect- 
ly satisfied with the uprightness of my own 
conduct, I was certain to be successful, and 
scarcely remember a single failure of any 
consequence; — on the contrary, if I had 
given cause to the upbraidings of my con- 
science, nothing prospered entirely with me, 
and I was in continual expectation of some 
impending misfortune. This observation is 
aQ undeniable proof, and let me entreat you, 



C0HJMBU8. 193 

my dear children, to remark, at the end of 
twenty or thirty years, if you are not of the 
same opinion ; and should 1 not be in a state 
to recai to your mind your duties, do not for- 
get to thank God for having familiarized you, 
through me, with the decrees of his provi- 
dence, at a time when you could not fathom 
them yourselves. 

The destruction of the Spanish fleet, in- 
stead of impressing the minds of the people 
with the justice of the Almighty, in whose 
power alone is the destiny of man, inspired 
them with the foolish and superstitious idea 
that Columbus was a magician, and that by 
his art he had raised this tempest, in order to 
be revenged upon his enemies; — " Or how," 
said they, " would it have been possible that 
the only vessel which escaped should be that 
which had his property on board ?" 

Columbus with just indignation quitted a 
coast that had refused him a shelter in so 
he^vy a calamity, and, with his vessels in a 
very shattered state, steered westward for the 
Continent. 

This voyage was attended with many dan- 
gers ; at length they reached an island called 
Guanaia, not far distant from the Coast of 
Honduras. There, my children, (pointing it 
out on (he mapi) is the coast, and near it 
the isle. 

17 



194 COLUMBUS. 

Having cast anchor, he sent his brother 
Bartholomew with some men to reconnoitre 
the country. On approaching the shore, they 
perceived a large canoe constructed far more 
mechanically than any they had yet seen 
among the savages. It was of considerable 
length, eight feet in width, and had in the 
middle an awning of palm leaves, so that it 
must in some measure have resembled the 
gondolas in which we sometimes take our 
pleasure on the Alster.* Under this cover- 
ing were seated several women and children, 
besides whom they counted twenty-five men 
in the canoe. 

They endeavoured to join them ; which 
was executed without much difficulty, though 
the Indians were armed. On examining the 
cargo of this canoe, they found some mat- 
tresses, a kind of shirts without sleeves, made 
of cotton, some other articles of clothing, and 
a sort of mantle for the women. They had 
also large wooden swords, the edges of which 
were made of stone, let into a joint, and ren- 
dered firm by a kind of thread and rosin ; 
hatchets of copper, and different utensils of 
the same metal. Their food was similar to 
that of the natives in Hispaniola, except that 
their drink was a kind of beer made from 

* A river in Hamburgh, which formg a spacious basin, on 
which parties of pleasure are frequently made. 



COLUMBUS. 195 

boiled maize. They had also a good store 
of cacao, which being their representative 
of coin were proportionably valued. This 
was the first species of money that Columbus 
had discovered among the Indians. 

I must not here forget an observation re- 

o 

specting these savages that will give you 
pleasure ; they appeared to have a due sense 
of modesty, which praiseworthy decorum of 
manners caused them to cover the parts of 
the body which decency requires to be con- 
cealed. The admiral, pleased with these 
people, treated them with the utmost kind- 
ness ; exchanged European goods for such of 
theirs as he wished to obtain, and at length 
dismissed them, well pleased, in their canoes. 
He, however, detained on board his own ship 
an old man, who appeared the most intelli- 
gent of the party, and who made no scruple 
to remain with him. His intention was to 
obtain from him what information he could, 
and to use him as a kind of interpreter with 
the savages he might hereafter meet. This 
old man informed him, that, towards the west, 
there was a great country where gold was to 
be found in large quantities; and plainly made 
him comprehend, by his signs, that the inhab- 
itants there wore crowns of that metal on their 
heads, as also rings on their arms and legs, 
and that they decorated their household fur- 
niture with it. On being shown some coral, 



196 fOLUMBtS. 

spices, and other valuable articles, he assured 
them that the country he mentioned abounded 
in them. Need 1 tell you he meant the rich 
country of Mexico f 

However great the inclination of Colum- 
bus's men to procure. these treasures, he had 
a wish beyond them, — it was, to attain the 
end for which he made the voyage, and to dis- 
cover the passage he had supposed to be situ- 
ated near this spot ; therefore, without delib- 
eration, he relinquished the immense riches 
which he was assured were so near him, and 
deaf to the murmurs of his crew, steered east- 
ward, veering along the coast of the main 
land. 

Mother. This last trait of character proves 
Columbus truly great. To have it in his 
power to enrich himself, yet to withstand it 
in order to fulfil his duty, and, in spite of the 
murmurs of his companions, to be useful to the 
world in preference to himself, cannot be toa 
much commended. Oh, my children ! should 
any of you hereafter encounter such a trial 
may you act with equal nobleness of mind ! 

Father, I am convinced they will do so, 
my dear ; I think I may venture to promise 
for them. If I did not judge thus, I would 
pray to Heaven to remove us from this world 
before w^e witnessed their first dishonour. 
My dear children, I hope, will remember my 
counsels, and shun every species of disgrace ; 



COLUMBUS. 197 

and rather prefer to pass through life poor and 
despised, than for a single moment to forfeit 
their honour and duty. Should interest ever 
prompt tliem to a mean action, they will say 
to themselves, " Our father warned us to be- 
ware of this ; and he well knew what is good 
for man below, and to procure his everlast- 
ing happiness hereafter. He had no motive 
but our welfare, and we will follow his pre- 
cepts." Will you not think thus, my dear 
young friends, and end-eavour through life to 
stifle all evil propensities, and to act with rec- 
titude and unblemished honour ^ 

The children threw their arms around their 
parents, the elder ones cKclaiming — Should 
we disgrace such a father, we must be un- 
pardonable indeed. 



DIALOGUE XVI. 

Father. Columbus, following his first in- 
tention, steered eastward towards the coast of 
Honduras, in search of the strait, which the 
savages had informed him he would really 
find in that direction. 

17* 



198 COLUMBUS. 

John, They had then deceived him, fa- 
ther ? 

Father, Not intentionally. They had 
misunderstood each other. Columbus had 
shown them the drawing of a strait, whicb 
they had mistaken for an isthmus, and under 
this supposition they had directed him to that 
of Darien. During this voyage on the coast^ 
they discovered that the natives were far more 
savage than those they had before seen. 
They were entirely . naked, and ate their 
meat and fish raw, without the least prepara- 
tion. Theii* ears, by the weight of the orna- 
ments they wore, were lengthened to their 
shoulders ; and their whole bodies were in- 
dented with fire in figures of elks, lions, and 
other animals. The most considerable 
among them were distinguished by cotton 
caps of different colours. Some had their 
faces painted black, others red, and some of 
divers colours, others had only their lips, nos- 
trils, and eyelids stained. The holes pierced 
through their ears were so large, that a hen's 
egg might easily have been passed through 
them. Columbus named this part of the 
coast La Costa de la Oreja (that is. Coast of 
the Ear,) in reference to the remarkable ears 
of the natives. From hence he pursued his 
voyage, though but slowly, having continually 
to struggle against contrary winds and cur- 
rents, until he reached a promontory, where 



COLUMBUS. 199 

the land trending off to the south gave hlra an 
opportunity of prosecuting his voyage with a 
trade wind. Never forgetting to attribute ev- 
ery fortunate event to the Giver of all good, 
he named this cape Gracias a Dios (that is, 
Thanks to God.) Look for it upon the map. 
Some days after, having cast anchor farther 
on the coast, several canoes filled with armed 
natives attempted to prevent their landing, 
until perceiving that they were pacifically in- 
clined, they approached them with confidence, 
and offered to sell their merchandize, which 
consisted of different kinds of weapons, as 
bows, spears made of a black and hard wood, 
and pointed with fish bones, also clubs, he. 
cotton, and small gold ornaments which they 
wore on their necks. The admiral presented 
them with several European trifles, refusing 
any thing in exchange — a compliment that 
did not appear to please them ; and as the 
ship's company also declined going on shore, 
they appeared to consider it as a want of con- 
fidence in them, — they, therefore, deputed 
an old man of a respectable appearance, and 
two young girls with gold plates on their 
necks, to go on board of Columbus's vessel. 
The old man carried in his hand a sort of 
banner, doubtless as a token of peace, and 
being introduced to the admiral, they were 
highl)' pleased with their reception, for, after 
entert;aining them with great hospitality, he 



200 COLUMBUS. 

sent them back with a present of clothes, 
and several articles that had attracted their 
attention. 

The brother of Columbus going on shore 
the next day, saw all the articles that had 
been presented to the natives piled together 
in a heap ! — doubtless these poor people did 
not like to accept presents without making 
some return. On his landing he was receiv- 
ed by two of the principal of the natives, who 
each took him by the arin, and invited him to 
Bit with them on the grass. Don Bartholo- 
mew did as they desired, and by the assist- 
ance of his interpreter asked them divers 
questions, ordering his secretary to take down 
their answers in writing. But they no sooner 
saw the pens, paper, and inkhorn, than starting 
up they fled, with all those that had accom- 
panied them, with the utmost precipitation- 
The ignorance and superstition of these poor 
people caused them to imagine that the ma- 
terials for writing were implements of sorcery, 
which were to be employed to do them injury. 
This ridiculous idea was not eradicated with- 
out some trouble, nor would they again ap- 
proach the Spaniards until they had, accord- 
ing to their own opinion, secured therrselves^ 
from the magic art of the secretary. The 
means they used were as follows : — they 
threw towards the Spaniards a certain powder, 
which raising a smoke, they blew it towards 



tfOLUMBUS. 201 

the supposed magician to prevent his charm 
taking effect. Bartholomew after this accom- 
panied them to their city. What he there 
saw most remarkable was a large building of 
wood, which served as a burial-place. He 
found in several of the tombs bodies envelop- 
ed in cotton cloth, one of which was embalm- 
ed. Over each of these sepulchres was a 
board carved with the figures of beasts, or 
the effigfes of the deceased, with the native 
ornaments. 

The admiral, the next day, in order to pro- 
cure what information he could, entertained 
several of the natives on board his vessel ; 
when their companions, concluding it was only 
to obtain ransom for them, sent deputies with 
two young pigs, requesting the release of the 
prisoners. Columbus made them at length 
understand that their companions were not 
captives, and should be sent back in safety 
without ransom ; he then purchased their 
pigs, and sent them on shore perfectly sat- 
isfied. 

On the deck where they had put the hogs, 
was a wild cat of a grey colour, and in size as 
large as a young greyhound. It had been 
taken by one of the sailors, after having one 
of its paws cut off. This animal was as quick 
in its movements as a squirrel, and in a simi- 
lar manner would jump from tree to tree, 
sometimes suspending itself from the branches 



Ji02 . COLUMBUS. 

by the tail. The pigs no sooner saw this 
creature, than with the utmost fear they en- 
deavoured to escape ; one, however, was 
stopped and given to the cat, who immedi- 
ately twisted her tail round his snout, and 
with her fore paws on each side of its throat 
would infallibly have killed it, had it not been 
taken from her. It is said that in Spain the 
wolves use the same means to despatch their 
prey. After some few days sail, the admiral 
cast anchor at the mouth of a river, and sent 
some soldiers to the shore, but a multitude of 
the native? opposed their landing ; more than 
a hundred entering into the sea as high as 
their middle, presenting their lances, sound- 
ing a horn, beating a kind of drum, throwing 
water at the Spaniards, and spitting chewed 
herbs at them, in token of hatred and disdain. 
The Spaniards had received orders to be- 
have with the utmost moderation ; and, in 
consequence, after a short time, a more pa- 
cific communication took place, and the sav- 
ages entered into traffic with them, by which 
they procured sixteen pieces of gold, of the 
value of 150 ducats, in exchange for a few 
bells. Would men in general behave as the 
Spaniards did in this instance, how many 
sorrows and misfortunes would they prevent ! 
It certainly will sometimes happen, that we 
meet with .people on whom reason has no 
power, and that our endeavours for peace will 



COLUMBUS. 203 

fail in their effect. It is, then, doubtless, jus- 
tifiable to take measures to secure- ourselves 
from injury or insult, even by en)ploying vio- 
lent means. In this case, we should be par- 
ticularly careful to guard against suffering re- 
sentment to degenerate into passion and ven- 
geance, and to restrain it within the bounds 
of a just and honourable defence. Of this 
Columbus has given us a proof, which may 
serve as an example. 

The very next day the savages appeared 
to consider the patience with which the Span- 
iards had received their insults as marks of 
fear and timidity, and therefore gave full rein 
to their petulance, so much so that, when the 
ship's boat endeavoured to reach the shore, 
they attacked them with their zngyas, or long 
darts. The Spaniards could not now avoid 
showing them that they neither wanted cour- 
age nor strength to defend themselves. Co- 
lumbus, therefore, ordered a cannon to be 
fired ; which caused them to fly in the great- 
est precipitation, more particularly as one of 
them was also wounded by an arrow from the 
vessel. The Spaniards then landed, but did 
not pursue the runaways, on the contrary, by 
amicable signs, entreated them to return ; an 
invitation they at length accepted, convinced 
that the strangers had not, unprovoked, wish- 
ed to do them injury, though they possessed 
ample means. At length they laid down their 



204 COLUMBUS. 

weapons, returned to the shore, and changed 
their plates of gold for European goods, with- 
out the least hostility. 

Columhus, after taking information of the 
nature of the country, its soil, its inhabitants, 
and productions, set sail, and continued to 
steer along the coast, still hoping to discover 
the strait he was in search of. In this course 
he at length reached a bay, which formed a 
spacious and secure harbour, near which the 
Indians had built a town, which was very 
populous, and surrounded with well cultivated 
lands. Columbus named this port Porto 
Bello, (that is. Beautiful Port,) on account of 
the fine harbour. 

The inhabitants of this town appeared very 
peaceably inclined ; they brouglit fine cotton 
and provisions to the ships, willingly exchang- 
ing them for nails, needles, bells, and other 
commodities of the same sort. Eight miles 
farther, Columbus reached the spot where the 
town of Nombre de Dios(Name of God) now 
stands. You will find it on the map. The 
bad weather obliged him to remain some days 
in this place, which time he employed in re- 
. pairing his vessels. At length he set sail, 
but was again prevented from proceeding by 
the stormy weather, which obliged him to put 
into a small port, which he named El Re- 
trette, or Retiring Place. 

The natives at first appeared very familiar ; 



COBUMBUS. 205 

but tlie imprudent conduct of some of the 
sailors, so exasperated them, that, trusting to 
their numbers, they prepared for a general 
attack, with a design, no doubt, of gaining 
possession of the vessels. The admiral had, 
alternately, recourse to gentleness and threat- 
enings, to engage them to remain peaceable, 
but in vain ; and finding all other means un- 
availing, he ordered some cannon to be fired 
with powder only, concluding that the noise 
would alarm and disperse them. In this he 
was, however, mistaken ; for, observing that 
they received no injury, they became only the 
more daring, expressing their derision by loud 
cries, striking the trees with their clubs, and 
other actions, tO show how little they feared 
the noise of the artillery. 

Columbus was then necessitated to show 
them it consisted of somewhat more than 
merely noise, and therefore ordered a cannon, 
with ball, to be fired against a hillock, where 
a number of them were assembled. The 
effect of this second stroke soon convinced 
them of the dreadful power of the thunder 
they had contemned, and, struck with horror 
and dismay, they fled into the forests. 

These Indians were the handsomest of any 

they had yet seen, being well shaped, and of 

a good stature. There was, in this port, a 

great number of large alhgators, which came 

18 



206 



COLUMBUS. 



on shore to sleep, and emitted a strong scent 
of musk. They were cowardly when attack- 
ed, but used their utmost skill to surprize any- 
one, in order to devour them. 

Columbus, at lengtl)^ despairing to find a 
passage from the Atlantic Ocean into the 
South Sea, and being also continually detain- 
ed by the bad weather, resolved to return, 
and steer for a land called Veragua, (that is, 
Real Water,) where the savages had informed 
him there were many gold mines. Look for 
it, some of you, on the map. 

A dreadful storm, that lasted several days, 
added to a great scarcity of food, rendered 
this navigation both dangerous and toilsome. 
All the provisions that remained, after being 
eight months at sea, now consisted of a little 
biscuit, so spoiled by the heat and moisture of 
the climate, that nothing but the most ex- 
treme hunger could force them to eat it ; it 
was, literally speaking, alive with maggots, so 
that those, who were obliged to have re- 
course to it, seemed rather to swallow a mass 
of insects than bread, and took the precau- 
tion to eat it in the dark, in order to avoid 
seeing the disgusting morsel with which they 
were obliged to alleviate the cravings of na- 
ture. From this example, my children, you 
may surmise to what dreadful extremities 
hunger may reduce men. Heaven be prais- 
ed ! you have hitherto known it only by name. 



COLUMBUS. 207 

At this time the vessels were surrounded by a 
great number of sharks. 

Charlotte. Excuse my interrupting you, 
father ; but pray what are sharks ? 

John. They are sea monsters. Do you 
not remember the account of them, when we 
were reading natural history t 

Charlotte. It is so long since that I have 
forgotten. 

Father. Relate, my son, what you recol- 
lect respecting them. 

John. Willingly. In the first place, they 
are very large 5 some are said to be from 
twenty to thirty feet long, their bodies are 
very thick and their mouths are monstrous, 
being armed both at the top and bottom with 
three rows of teeth, with which they easily, at 
one snap, bite off an arm 01 a leg -, added to 
this, they have such prodigious strength in 
their tail, that a stroke from it will break a 
limb, and even sometimes kill a man on 
the spot. 

Frederic. What a dreadful monster it 
must be, brother ! 

Father. It is also very voracious ; indeed 
so much so, that it greedily swallows what- 
ever presents itself, even to iron hooks and 
hatchets that chance to drop from the ves- 
sels. I have read an account of a sailor, 
who was thrown overboard, wrapped in a 
large piece of coarse cloth, (as is the cus- 



208 COLUMBUS. 

torn at sea, where they have no other means 
of burial,) being found entire in the belly of 
a shark, which the crew had taken the day 
following. The flesh of this rreature is bad 
tasted, and smells of oil, notwithstanding 
which, the African negroes eat it with great 
pleasure ; and, in order to render it more de- 
licious, expose ii to the sun, for seven or eight 
days, until it begins to stink and putrify. 

Charlotte. How nasty it must be ! 

Father. The superstitious companions of 
Columbus regarded the appearance of these 
sea monsters as an evil omen ; yet their fears 
and disgust at length gave way to hunger, and 
they fed heartily upon them, in preference to 
their nauseous biscuits. 

Ferdinand. But how did they contrive to 
take them, father ? 

Father. Nothing more easy. Their vo- 
racity makes them an easy prey, and leads 
them, as improper passions do mankind, to 
their destruction. As they snap at whatever 
is thrown from the vessels, the sailors only 
put a piece of red cloth on a large hook fixed 
to an iron chain, and throw it into the sea, 
and they are certain to catch these gluttons, 
who eagerly swallow it, and by means of the 
chain are dragged into the vessel. One was 
taken by the crew of Columbus's ship, and 
when cut open, there was found in his sto- 
mach aUve turtle, which, when released from 



COLUMBUS. 209 

his prison, walked upon the deck. In an- 
other shark they found the head of one of its 
own species, which the sailors had thrown 
overboard. From this circumstance you 
learn, that they will even devour each other. 
But surely we have talked of sharks long 
enough for this evening ; to-morrow we will 
return to Columbus. 



DIALOGUE XVII. 

Father. Before they reached Veragua, so 
much extolled for its gold mines, Columbus 
was frequently obliged, by the bad weather, to 
cast anchor on different parts of the coast, in 
order to shelter himself from the sudden 
squalls of wind. 

In one of these spots where he anchored, 
a particular circumstance struck him ; it was 
ihat the inhabitants, instead of living on 
the ground, constructed their houses in 
the air. 

Frederic. I wonder how they managed 
that. 

Father. Much in the same manner as it 
is said Queen Semiramis formerly constructed 
18* 



210 COLUMBUS. 

her gardens. You remember that account ? 
Do you not, Frederic f 

Frederic. Oh, yes, father ; the hanging 
gardens at Babylon. 

Father. Well then, in the same manner 
as these gardens are reported to have been 
constructed, on terraces supported by arches, 
were the huts of these savages erected on the 
branches of great trees ; so that they might 
truly be said not to dwell on the earth, but 
hke birds, in the air. 

Charlotte. What could be their reason 
for this f 

Father. Perhaps they did not think them- 
selves safe on the ground ; they might dread 
inundations, wild beasts, or the attack of 
enemies. 

Charles. I wonder how they mounted up 
to their houses. 

Father. By ladders, which they drew up 
after them ; thus securing themselves from 
intrusion. 

Theophilus. They were cunning, how- 
ever, father. 

Father. At length Columbus reached 
Veragua, to the great joy of his companions, 
who already anticipated the treasures they 
expected to find there. They cast anchor at 
the mouth of a river, to which the admiral, in 
compliment to the day, (being twelfth day,) 
gave the name of Bethlehem ; but being in- 



COLUMBUS. 211 

formed, that by a few days sail up the river, 
they would reach the residence of their king, 
who was called Quibia, he determined to 
proceed. Columbus sent his brother Bar- 
tholomew first, with some manned boats, to 
compliment his Indian Majesty ; who was no 
sooner informed of his arrival, than he came 
to meet hirn with great kindness. 

The next day the king resolved to pay a 
visit to the admiral, who received him with 
the distinction due to his rank ; and making 
him a present of some European baubles, his 
friendship was entirely obtained. In the 
mean time Bartholomew had cautiously in- 
formed himself of the situation of the gold 
mines, and, with some of his men, went to 
examine the spot. Near the roots of the 
great trees he found some gold dust, and no 
farther proof was necessary to convince him, 
that the soil contained abundance of that pre- 
cious metal. After collecting some scattered 
grains, they returned to the admiral with the 
agreeable news of their success. 

The design Columbus had conceived of 
forming a colony in this country, was strength- 
ened by this event, and he immediately gave 
orders for some dwellings to be constructed 
near the mouth of the river. This work was 
carried on with such diligence, that, in a short 
time, the houses were conipleted. They 



212 COLUMBUS. 

were built of wood, and covered with palm 
leaves. 

Columbus chose, in order to form this colo- 
ny, eighty men from his crew, appointing his 
brother the Governor. He also furnished 
them with weapons and tools necessary for 
their defence and labour ; together with a 
large quantity of fishing tackle, as there were 
great numbers of fish, both near the coast and 
in the river ; and, among others, a kind of 
pilchard, or anchovy, of a most exquisite fla- 
vour, and which the natives caught in a man- 
ner which I must relate to you. These fish, 
when they are pursued by any other, leap out 
of the water, and lodge themselves on a dry 
spot, until the dangei" is past ; when they re- 
turn to their element. In consequence of 
this observation, the Indians cover the middle 
of their canoes with palm leaves, and, as they 
cross the river, make a loud noise with their 
ours, to alarm the fish, who, taking the usual 
leap, mistake the canoe for land, and thus 
are caught. 

All being arranged, Columbus was about 
to depart for Spain, when he learned, to his 
great astonishment, that King Quibia, jealous 
of the establishment the Europeans had made 
in his country, had formed the project of 
burning all the dwellings they had erected. 
He consulted with his brother how to avoid 
this misfortune ; when both were of opinion. 



COLUMBUI. 213 

that the only means to prevent the attack, was 
to seize upon the person of the cacique — 
a resolution that had the most fatal con- 
sequences. 

Don Bartholomew engaged to put this plan 
in execution, and accordingly, with a good 
number of soldiers, repaired to the town of 
Veragua, near which, on a lonely hill, stood 
the dwelling of the cacique. As they ap- 
proaciied, Quibia sent them word that he 
would come and meet them ; upon which 
Bartholomew, taking only five men with him, 
left the rest, with orders to follow at a distance 
until they heard the report of a musquet, 
when they were to hasten forward, surround 
the cacique's dwelling, and prevent any per- 
son from making their escape. The cacique 
unsuspecting the evil that threatened him, 
advanced to receive his visiter, and found 
himself in a few moments a prisoner. The 
signal was given, the dwelling was surround- 
ed, and all within partook of their master's 
fate. 

Some of the Children. What shameful 
treachery ! 

Father. Indeed, my children,! must per- 
fectly agree with you, and would willingly, if 
it were possible, efface from the history of our 
friend CoFumbus, in many respects so noble 
and disinterested, this disagreeable stain upon 
his character. 



214 COLUMBUS. 

Henry. The cacique, father, had first 
given the offence, and he only meant to se- 
cure himself from his designs. 

Father. That is true, my boy ; but pray, 
what right had the Spaniards to make a settle- 
ment in his country without his permission f 

Henry. They did wrong in that. 

Father. Undoubtedly they did ; for who 
can attribute it a crime in a sovereign, to ex- 
pel strangers whom he thinks dangerous to his 
subjects and kingdom ? 

Henry. It can be no crime, father. 

Father. Where then v/as the great injus- 
tice the Spaniards complained of, and which 
authorized them to violate the sacred laws of 
hospitality ? All that can be said in this case 
to excuse Columbus is, that he perhaps had a 
good intention in founding this colony. Un- 
der the direction of his brother, he perhaps 
hoped to civilize the natives, and teach them 
the worship of the true God ; that his design 
in seizing the king was perhaps only to enter 
into some negotiation for the security of his 
people, and to endeavour to gain the friend- 
ship of Quibia. If such indeed were his mo- 
tives, we must allow they were praise-worthy ; 
but the means which he used to accomplish 
them were nevertheless unjust, and unworthy 
in the utmost degree of a man of sense and 
humanity. Thus much for his motives. 
Whatever they were, this precipitate action 



COLUMBUS. 315 

involved him in a number of disagreeable 
events, that concluded only with his life ; and 
those 1 shall relate lo you. 

Their prisoner, the cacique, was put into 
the boat, in order to be conveyed to the ves- 
sel, with his hands and feet bound, and fas- 
tened against the side. It was dark, — and 
be complained so heavily of the pain be en- 
dured from his hands being too straitly tied, 
that one of the party loosened him from the 
boat, but used the precaution of letting him 
remain bound ; notwithstanding which he 
leaped overboard, dragging the guard who 
held him along with him, and by favour of 
the night escaped all pursuit. How he man- 
aged to swim with his hands and feet bound is 
difficult to be conceived by us Europeans, 
who have little skill in that art even with our 
limbs at liberty. 

The rapacity of the Spaniards made this 
event a pretence to seize upon whatever be- 
longed to the cacique, imputing his escape as 
a crime. His dwelling was pillaged, and the 
gold they found amounting to the value of 
three hundred ducats, shared among them, 
reserving a fifth for the king of Spain. Qui- 
bia, in the mean time, prepared to take ven- 
geance upon his oppressors, and, when least 
expected, having traversed thick woods, with 
his people uttering hideous yells, fell upoQ 
the colony with a shower of heated arrows, 



216 COLUMBUS. 

with which they hoped to set fire to the com- 
bustible roofs of the newly-erected dwellings. 
The distance, however, prevented this design 
from taking effect, and an obstinate combat 
ensued, which must have ended in the de- 
struction of the colony, had not the courage 
and skill of Bartholomew saved it ; for, with 
a small number of his men, he repulsed the 
enemy so vigorously, that at length he put 
them to flight. 

The Indians lost many men in this encoun- 
ter. On the side of the Spaniards one man 
was killed, and several were wounded ; 
among them was Bartholomew, who was 
struck with an arrow in the stomach, — the 
wound, however, was not mortal. 

It was hoped that this defeat would have 
deterred the cacique from any fresh hostilities. 
But they mistook his character ; he became 
doubly furious against them, and appeared 
resolved on vengeance, so that the colony 
must doubtless have fallen a victim to his re- 
sentment, had not the settlers unanimously 
declared that they would sooner trust them- 
selves to the fury of the waves, in the shat- 
tered vessel that was left them, than remain 
on a spot where they should be daily exposed 
to the vengeance of a cruel and implacable 
enemy. Columbus, informed of all that had 
passed, was therefore obliged to relinquish 
his undertaking, and ordered them to come on 



COLUMBUS. 217 

board ; a command they gladly obeyed, 
reaching his vessel in a boat moored between 
two canoes, for the ship that was to be left 
for their use was so dreadfully shattered, that it 
was scarcely better than a wreck, it was 
therefore left behind, and the other three 
set sail. 

The admiral's utmost desire was now to be 
able to make the Isle of Hispaniola in his 
crazy vessels, for it was not to be supposed 
that they could ever reach Europe. But 
even the very elements seemed to conspire 
for the destruction of this great navigator. 
He was assailed with constant hurricanes, 
which were rendered yet more terrible by 
the storms which are frequent in those cli- 
mates, and which, agitating the ocean to its 
very bottom, tossed the vessels with such fu- 
rious velocity, that the crews became bewil- 
dered with fear. In vain did Columbus en- 
deavour to enforce every measure that his 
experience suggested ; they were deaf to his 
orders, or, if attended to, the general per- 
plexity prevented their execution. Thus one 
of the ships perished, and the two that re- 
mained were so leaky, and had so many feet 
water, that the united strength of the crews, 
who laboured constantly at the pumps, could 
scarcely keep them afloat. 

In this distressing situation Columbus steer- 
19 



218 COLUMBUS. 

ed for the Isle of Cuba, in hopes of being 
able to make the most necessary repairs to his 
vessels ; but this intention was speedily frus- 
trated, a fresh storm arose when he was in 
sight of the coast, and soon threw him at a 
considerable distance. In this tempest, the 
two vessels struck against each other with 
such dreadful violence that the crews of both 
expected to be instantly overwhelmed. 

Notwithstanding this extreme danger, it 
pleased the Almighty to prolong the toilsome 
life of Columbus, and to exercise his fortitude 
by fresh trials. 

The joints of the ships, however unexpect- 
edly, had withstood the shock they had re- 
ceived ; and as they in the mean time had 
gained the coast of Jamaica, the admiral suc- 
ceeded in running his vessels aground at the 
very moment they were on the point of sink- 
ing. By this skilful manoeuvre he saved 
his own life, and also those of his companions. 

Henry. Poor creatures ! but how could 
they get from thence when they had no ships ? 

Father. That care Columbus left to Prov- 
idence, contenting himself in fulfilling those 
indispensable duties the present danger re- 
quired. 

It was now totally out of the question to 
think of refitting the vessels, as they were 
shattered beyond all repair ; yet it was of the 
Utmost importance to the admiral that they 



COLUMBUS. 319 

should not go to pieces, as two powerful rea- 
sons made him concUide that it was better to 
stay with his unhappy companions on the 
wreck, than to venture to reside on shore. 
First, he was in greater security against the 
attacks of- the natives ; secondly, he could 
more easily prevent his people from insuhing 
or ill treating them, as their friendship, in the 
present crisis, was of the utmost importance 
to him. He ordered the vessels, therefore, 
to be cleared as much as possible, erected 
sheds upon the decks for his men, and strictly 
forbade any one to go on shore without per- 
mission. 

A number of Indians soon came on board ; 
and as, by order of Columbus, they were 
very civilly treated, they showed the utmost 
confidence and affection for the strangers, 
bringing provisions in abundance to barter for 
their European gewgaws. With great satis- 
faction they received a sheet of tinsel for two 
geese, a loaf of maize they gave for a glass 
bead, and what they held in the highest esti- 
mation they readily parted with for a bell. 

Among the many deliberations Columbus 
held with his friends how he should get from 
this island, one plan alone appeared feasible ; 
which was, to inform the Governor of His- 
paniola of their distress, and to entreat him to 
send a vessel to take them on board. But 
the question was, how to convey the intelli- 



220 COLUMBUS. 

gence to him ; for they liad not even a sin- 
gle boat remaining, and from Jamaica to 
Hispaniola was a distance of above thirty 
leagues, as you see upon the map. This was 
a difficulty hard to be surmounted ; yet per- 
severance at length overcame it. 

Columbus had, by his cautious conduct, so 
entirely conciliated the friendship of the na- 
tives, that they consented to sell him two of 
their canoes. It must be confessed that they 
were poor vessels, not even deserving the 
name of boats, being only the trunks of large 
trees simply made hollow in^the roughest man- 
ner, and at most only proper to sail along the 
coast, as the smallest gust of wind would 
overset them, or the lightest wave overwhelm 
them. 

Notwithstanding all the disadvantages at- 
tending so long a voyage, in such miserable 
barks, among the companions of Columbus 
were two men sufficiently courageous to offer 
to hazard their lives for the safety of the ad- 
miral and his unfortunate men. One was 
named Mendez, the other Fiesco ; the first a 
Spaniard, the second a Genoese. 

It is with pleasure, my dear children, that 
I mention those brave men to you ; their 
courage, and attachment to the commander 
under whom they served, render their names 
worthy of being handed down to posterity, 
and remembered with honour. Each em- 



tOLUMBUS. 221 

barked in a separate canoe, accompanied by- 
six Spaniards and some natives to work the 
oars. It was agreed, that if they should be 
fortunate enough to reach Hispaniola, Fiesco 
should return and inform the admiral, while 
Mendez should proceed by land to St. Do- 
mingo to perform his business with the 
governor. 

Thus they departed with the warmest wishes 
of their friends for their safety ; but after hav- 
ing steered for forty-eight hours the course 
that had been prescribed them, and suffering 
the most intolerable heat, they began to fear 
that they had mistaken the course, and enter- 
ed the main sea beyond Hispaniola. You 
may easily surmise the alarm this caused 
them, and more particularly as they had al- 
ready consumed all their stock of fresh vvater> 
and were equally exhausted with drought and 
fatigue. Some of the poor Indians fainted 
and died ; while the survivors, considering 
their deaths but as a prelude to their own, 
gave themselves up to despair. The only 
relief they could procure was to fill their 
mouths with sea water to cool their parched 
tongues ; but this temporary relief only the 
mpie increased their thirst. In this terrible 
situation a gleam of hope at length beamed oa 
their desponding minds. It was night, and 
as the moon rose they perceived axi elevation. 
19^ 



222 COLUMBUS. 

which they knew to be a rock. This sight 
made them conjecture that they were near 
some island ; a hope that inspired them with 
strength sufficient to work their oars to reach 
it. At length they attained it, but, alas ! 
found only a barren mountain, apparently 
destitute of the smallest necessary either to 
eat or drink. What a dreadful disap- 
pointment ! 

They notwithstanding left their canoes, and 
walked over this island, or, more properly 
speaking, this mass of stone, with the most 
poignant despair in their hearts. 1 must here 
digress, to observe how erroneous it is to give 
way to despair. Even when all human re- 
sources appear to fail, how frequently is the 
hand of the Divine Providence stretched out 
to help us, at the very moment we least ex- 
pect it, and most need it ! Who would have 
judged, my children, that God had destined 
this same mountain to furnish what alone 
could preserve them from perishing ? And 
yet it was immediately so. The hollows of 
the rock were full of rain water, as clear and 
fresh as if taken from a river. The discovery 
of this blessing was unfortunately not received 
with the moderation it ought ; parched with 
drought, they swallowed such quantities, that 
some died in consequence, and all were great- 
ly disordered. Of the first mentioned, many 
fell dead on the spot ; the second were after- 



COLUMBUS. 223 

wards attacked with fevers, consumptions, and 
dropsies. So true is it, my children, that ex- 
cess of the best and most wholesome things 
may be converted into poison, and that the 
imprudence of man frequently turns the bless- 
ings of Heaven into a curse. 

Notwithstanding the most pressing want of 
our adventurers was satisfied, yet the dread 
of hunger still remained. Fortunately, on 
the shore of this desolate spot they found 
some fish which the waves had thrown upon 
the coast ; and these sufficing to remove the 
cravings of nature, the conductors resolved to 
remain during the heat of the day, and take 
some rest, and in the evening re-commence 
their toilsome voyage, uncertain whether they 
should ever reach the object of their pursuit. 
Here we will leave them, my dear auditors ; 
to-morrow I will let you know the event of 
their labours. 

A numher of the Children exclaim, Oh, 
dear, dear father, at least tell us whether the 
poor fellows ever reached Hispaniola ^ 

Father. Why, surely, you would not be 
cruel enough to wish me to disturb these poor 
men, who are just taking a nap after their 
fatigue f 

Frederic. Oh, no, father! but only tell us. 

Father. Well, if 1 must^ Towards 

evening then, they embarked, and, after hav- 
ing rowed all night by the light of the moon, 



224 COLUMBUS. 

landed at length, to their inexpressible joy, on 
the western coast of Hispaniola. Are you 
satisfied now, niy young friends ? 

The Children. Oh, yes, father. 

Father, Well, then, good night. 



DIALOGUE XVIII. 

Father. Let ns now, my children, as we 
have safely landed the two noble fellows, 
Mendez and Fiesco, in Hispaniola, return to 
Jamaica, and see how our friend Columbus 
has passed his time. My heart whispers that 
perhaps we may sooa lose him. Let us 
therefore make much of the interval he has 
to remain vvitli us. 

Theophilus. 1 hope he is not going to die, 
father ? 

Charlotte. If I thought he was, I believe 
I should run away before I heard any more. 

Frederic. And' so should I. 

Father. Reluctance is vain, my dear 
children ; we cannot fly from the will of 
Heaven, nor reverse the decrees of the Al- 
mighty. Thus, instead of repining at the 
death of those we love, it is best to hold 
ourselves prepared for such events, that we 



COLUMBUS. 225 

may support them with fortitude, and submit 
with becoming resignation. 

Day after day the crews of the vessels 
cast their anxious looks towards the coast, 
from whence they expected Fiesco to return 
with the agreeable news that his companions 
had safely reached Hispaniola. Alas ! their 
eyes were strained in vain ; Fiesco did not 
arrive, and the unhappy crews were plunged 
in despair. They had no doubt but that the 
two deputies had perished in their hazardous 
attempt, and all hope of deliverance expired 
with them. This idea overwhelmed them 
with sorrow ; — but this was not all, as usual, 
they considered Columbus as the author of 
their coumion misery, and cursed the hour 
when they committed themselves to the di- 
rection of so bold an adventurer, who was 
predestined to involve all in ruin who joined 
his pursuits. Weary at length with com- 
plaints and useless imprecations, an inclina- 
tion to revolt began to show itself, and the 
death of Columbus was sworn among them. 
Indeed this great man, who had escaped so 
many dangers, was on the point of falling a 
victim to the blind fury and murderous de- 
signs of his subalterns. He was confined to 
his bed with the gout, and a number of his 
crew were also ill ; the greater part of those 
in health had joined the conspiracy, the chiefs 
of which were two brothers named Porras, 



226 



COLUMBUS. 



In this situation the elder of these miscreants 
came to the admiral's bed, and insolently de- 
manded the reason why he did not return to 
Spain. Columbus, with his usual forbear- 
ance, replied, that however great his desire 
was to return, it was now impossible ; but 
that if he, or any of his companions, could 
point out the means, he would willingly listen 
to them. Nay, more, it was hio intention to 
call together all his officers, to consult them 
on tiie subject. This answer, however rea- 
sonable, made no impression on Porras, who 
replied, that there was no longer time to lose 
in cnnsultations, and that for his part he wish- 
ed to sail immediately. " Let those among 
you," added he, addressing the crews that 
had assembled, "who mean to join me, now 
declare yourselves." 

This question was the signal for a general 
revolt; the greater part of the men immedi- 
ately crying out, " We are ready to follow 
you." Columbus, though disabled with the 
gout, and exhausted with repeated vexations, 
at this insult leaped from his bed, with the 
view of forcing the mutineers back to their 
duty ; but his attendants, who with reason 
feared they would mm-der him, withheld him, 
as they also did his brother Bartholomew, 
who, armed with a pii<e, rushed among them. 
The revolters then seized upon ten canoes, 
which the admiral had purchased of the sav- 



COLUMBUS. 



227 



ages, and embarked in ihem ; a sight which 
shook the fidehty of the few that had remain- 
ed firm to their dniy, and the greater part 
eagerly entreated to join tliem. 

Columbus, his brother, and his son Ferdi- 
nand, were spectators of this vexatious scene, 
and beheld themselves abandoned by all but 
the sick, who were unable to go, and their 
few faithful domestics. Columbus having 
called these around him, in the more ener- 
getic manner thanked them for the proof of 
attachment they had given him, exhorted them 
to continue in their duty, and to fix their 
thoughts upon a speedy termination of their 
sorrows, through the means of Him who has 
promised a recompense both in this world 
and in the next to those who strictly pursue 
the path of rectitude. The rebels steered 
towards the eastern point of the island, in 
order to make for Hispaniola, rending the 
ajr with their exclamations of joy, and every 
time they landed, during this navigation, rob- 
bing and ill treating the natives ; at the same 
time telling them, that as the admiral was the 
sole cause of what they did, they must apply 
to him for redress, — addijig, that if he did 
not make amends to their satisfaction, they 
were welcome to kill him. It was thus they 
endeavoured to embitter the minds of the In- 
dians against their betrayed and much-injured 
commander ; and at length having overpow- 



228 COLUMBUS. 

ered a number of these poor savages, they 
obh'ged them to embark with them to work 
their oars, and again put to sea. 

They had liardly made four leagues, when 
the sea became so agitated from a contrary 
wind, that their miserable boats began to fill 
with Waaler. In order to lighten them, I 
shudder with horror to relate it, these mon- 
stej;3 did not hesitate to murder some of the 
defenceless Indians, and to throw them into 
the sea ; a siglit which made others leap 
fro.-n the canoes, struck with terror and de- 
spair, swimming around them and crying 
aloud for mercy. But, barbarity unparallel- 
ed ! when these unhappy sufferers, exhausted 
with swimming, endeavoured for an instant to 
relieve themselves by catching hold of the 
canoes, these Europeans fiends, can you 
credit it, my children? cut off their hands, 
and left them to perish miserably I Not less 
than seventeen were thus barbarously sacrific- 
ed ; and in all probabihty not one would 
have escaped, if the Spaniards, despairing of 
feeing able to proceed, had not formed the re- 
solution of returning to Jamaica, and, on this 
account, kept them to work the oars. 

]f it be possible, my children, efface this 
horrible relation from your memories ; or, if 
you cannot, whenever it may intrude, deplore 
the disgrace that humanity sustained by such 
monsters bearing a human form, — wretches 



WOLUMBUS. 229 

destitute of every sentiment that ennobles 
man. 

Columbus's conduct in this distress was 
equally as great as in his former trials. His 
fortitude never forsook him. Though ill him- 
self, with truly paternal care he considered 
the necessities of his people, and took the 
best measures In his power for their recovery. 
Heaven seconded his designs, for in a short 
time he had the saiisfaclion to see all his in- 
valids re-established. 

Fresh difiiculties however attended him ; 
the Indians who had hitherto supplied his peo- 
ple with provisions, began to dread lest these 
voracious strangers meant to fix their resi- 
dence among them, and should devour all the 
produce of their lands. 'Jhis apprehension, 
added to the bad treatment they had experi- 
enced from the rebels, filled their minds with 
fear and hatred against the Europeans, and 
made them suddenly desist from supplying 
them with provisions. 

The knowledge and understanding of Co- 
lumbus, even in this dilemma, furnished a re- 
source. By his skill in astrononjical calcula- 
tions he knew there would speedily be an 
eclipse of the moon, and took advantage of 
this circumstance to bring back the natives to 
their former sentiments of respect and be- 
nevolence, which he did as follows : — 
20 



230 COLUMBUS. 

By means of a savage that he had brought 
with him from Hispaniola, he convened the 
chiefs of the natives, informing them that he 
had something to communicate of the utmost 
importance ; and on their being assembled, 
by means of liis interpreter he addressed them 
to this purport. That himself and his com- 
panions were men who served the God that 
created the heaven and the earth ; the God 
who protected the good and punislied the 
wicked, and would not fail to punish them, if 
they continued to refuse to supply his wor- 
shippers with food for their subsistence. To 
prove the truth of what he averred, even that 
very evening they would see the moon rise 
with an angry aspect, and of the colour of 
blood ; from which they might judge of the 
punishment that hung over them, if they did 
not hasten to supply the Europeans with food 
as before. 

This prediction was at first a subject of 
derision to the savages ; but when in reality 
the moon arose as Columbus had foretold, 
and they saw the darkness overspread it, their 
ridicule gave way to universal terror. Cry- 
ing and howling they sought Columbus, and 
entreated him to intercede with his God, 
that the chastisement that threatened them 
might be removed, and they would faithfully 
promise, never more to let the Spaniards want 
food . 



COLUMBUS. 



231 



Columbus, on these conditions, promised 
to do all in his power, and retired to his cabin 
until the time when he knew the eclipse 
would begin to decrease ; when returning to 
them, he bid them not make themselves un- 
easy, — "Since God," said he, "sees with 
pleasure that you have changed your conduct, 
he will not punish you for the past ; and to 
prove his pardon, the moon will speedily put 
off her angry appearance, and resume her 
usual lustre." 

This new prediction being accomplished 
by the termination of the eclipse, the natives 
praised the God of the Christians, and pro- 
vided ample for the man whoiiad announced 
'his will to them in so marvellous a manner. 
Well, my children, what do you think of 
this ? Was it right and prudent of Colum- 
bus thus to work upon the ignorance of these 
poor folks .'^ 

None of the children replying, their father 
continued; — What say you, John.'* — will 
you not give me your opinion.^ 

John, Certainly, father. The action 
might undoubtedly be prudent ; but for right, 
indeed, I cannot think it. 

Father. And why so, friend John ^ 

John. I do not very well understand how 
to explain my meaning ; yet 1 think the name 
of God should never be used to a falsehood. 

Father. In that case I think as you do, 



232 COLUMBUS. 

yet I know not whether from the same cause ; 
you will therefore giv^e me your reason. 

John. Because, father, we may lead oth- 
ers into erroneous ophiions by representing 
him falsely. 

Father. You are right, my son. You all 
know of how much importance it is to have a 
just and true idea of the Divinity. The er- 
roneous opinions of weak minds is supersti- 
tion ; thus what Columbus on this occasion 
made the Indians believe, deserves tliat name, 
and was calculated to lead them into error. 
We cannot, therefore, approve the conduct of 
Columbus ; yet surely if ever a fault, blame- 
able in itself, deserves to be excused, this 
does. He saw himself and his people reduc- 
ed to the greatest extremity ; and though the 
idea he impressed was erroneous, yet it incul- 
cated into the minds of these ignorant men 
the existence of a God, and, by that means, 
disposed them in future to receive better in- 
structions. If any palliative can be found for 
his deception, it must be this : — - 

As eight months had passed since the de- 
parture of Mendez and Fiesco, no doubt re- 
mained but that they had perished ; an event 
that reduced the companions of Columbus to 
despair, and gave rise to the idea of abandon- 
ing their chief, and joining the' rebels, who 
continued their depredation throughout the 
island, living by rapine and violence. 



COLUMBUS. 233 

But at the moment these revohers were on 
the point of putting their design in execution, 
they were agreeably surprized by the sight of 
a small European vessel, which cast anchor 
at a short distance from the coast. The com- 
mander soon landed, and brought to the admi- 
ral a letter from the Governor of Hispaniola, 
a cask of wine, and two flitches of bacon, 
which he had no sooner presented, than, re- 
entering his boat, he soon reached his vessel, 
and set sail. The letter he brought contained 
nothing more than some unmeaning compli- 
ments. Doubtless you cannot guess, any 
more than did the crew of Columbus, the 
meaning of this sudden appearance ; I must 
therefore explain it to you. Ovando, the 
Governor of Hispaniola, whom we have al- 
ready spoken of, desired nothing more than 
to see Columbus, whose right he usurped, 
perish in his distress : for he feared, that, 
should he live to return -to Spain, he would 
again solicit to be reinstated as Viceroy to the 
West Indies ; in which case he, Ovando, 
must lose his government ; he therefore wish- 
ed to learn the real situation of the man whom 
he so sincerely longed to get rid of, could he 
effect it by retarding, yet some time longer, 
the vessel which was to be sent for his deliv- 
erance. Thus say some historians, in ac- 
counting for the sudden departure of the 
20* 



5^4 eoLUMBug. 

deputy, as soon as he had examined into the 
distress of the admiral. Others allege a less 
criminal motive. Ovando, say they, fearerf 
that the wreck of Columhus's sliip was only s^ 
pretence, in order that he might return to^ 
~ Hispaniola, and re-establish himself, by force^. 
in the situation he had been deprived of ; he- 
therefore sent a spy, to be exactly informed' 
of the truth. You are now at librrty to adopt 
which of those opinions you choose. To 
which do you give the preference ^ 

Some ofihe Children. To the last, father. 

Father. Why so f 

Henry. Because we have it only upon 
conjecture, that Ovando was so despicable a 
character ; and, in doubtful cases, you have 
ever taught us to believe the good, in prefer- 
ence to the evil. 

Father. Very well ; preserve that princi- 
ple, my son, and you will never repent having 
adopted it, should you even suppose your fel- 
low creatures better than you in reality find 
them. I had rather be mistaken ten times, in 
that case, than a single one in the other. 

Columbus, as it is said, suspected that 
Ovando was actuated by the first mentioned 
motive ; but too noble minded to sink under 
calamity, he carefully concealed, from his 
people, the vexation that preyed upon him, 
and the desperate situation to which he con- 
sidered himself reduced. Assuming, there- 



COLUMBUS. 



235 



fore, an air of serenity, he informed his com- 
panions, that the reason of the vessel so 
speedily setting sail was, that it was found 
too small to receive their effects ; that Men- 
dez and Fiesco had happily reached His- 
paniola, and had orders to procure, on his 
account, a vessel capable of conve^^ing them 
ail, and w-hich would, in a short time, ar- 
rive. Columbus had, in reality, obtained 
information of the two brave men who had 
devoted themselves to the service of their 
companions. You have already heard that 
they arrived safe in port. The reason that 
Fiesco had not returned was as follows: — 

Notwithstandin«: he had caught a severe 
fever^ in the rocky island where they had 
cast anchor bj' the way^ j'et, faithful to his 
promise, he was anxious to return to Co- 
lumbus, in order to inform him of the success 
of the enterprize ; but he found it impossi- 
ble to persuade a single man among his 
comrades to attempt, a second time, so dan- 
gerous a vo3'agc. Entreaties and threats 
were equally unavailing; and he was obliged 
however contrary to his inclination, to ac- 
company the rest to St. Domingo, where, 
joining his solicitations to those of Mendez, 
he earnestly entreated the Governor to sell 
him a vessel, that he n)ight hasten to the as- 
sistance of his admiral ; but the Governor, 
whatever were his motives, constantly, by 



236 COLUMBUS. 

some frivolous excuse, deferred the accom- 
plishment of this request. 

During this interval Columbus had been 
endeavouring to bring the rebels back to 
their duly, but in vain ; they not only per- 
sisted in their revolt, but also demanded of 
the admiral half of the clothes, and other ef- 
fects, on board the wrecked vessels, threat- 
ening, in case of a refusal, to enforce their 
request in a more hostile manner. Their 
demand being rejected, they were prepar- 
ing to put this threat in execution. As 
Columbus still remained indisposed, he sent 
his brother Bartholomew, at the head of his 
men, armed, to meet the revolters, ordering 
them, however, to try the most conciliatoF'y 
conduct, before they had recoui'se to harsher 
measures. Bartholomew scrupulously ob- 
served these commands, once more offering 
a general amnesty ; but the rebels, who re- 
garded this overture but as a proof of weak- 
ness and timidity, replied only by a com- 
mencement of hostilities. Six of them had 
engaged, upon oath, to confine their attack 
to Bartholomew, until they saw him fall ; 
but, with the same intrepidity he always 
possessed, he repulsed them so vigorously, 
and was so well supported by his men, that 
he gained a complete victor}'. Some fell by 
the sword, others were made prisoners, and 
the rest fled. Among the prisoners who 
were put in irons, and taken on board, was 



COLUMBUI. 237 

the leader of the rebels, Porras, whom Bar- 
tholomew had seized and disarmed, at the 
trifling expence of a wound in his hand. 

Those who had fled, speedily after the 
defeat, sent to supplicate the admiral's par- 
don, who, more ready to forgive " than re- 
venge, easily yielded to their entreaties. 
Thus, contrary to all hope, tranquillity was 
again re-established. All returned to their 
duty ; all were pardoned, except the leaders 
of the mutiny, who were kept in irons, in 
order to undergo the fate they had justly 
deserved. 

During this interval Mendez and Fiesco 
had not ceased to importune the Governor 
of Hispaniola for a vessel to fetch their ad- 
miral from Jamaica. For a considerable 
time he put them off with vague excuses ; but 
at length, fearing he should meet reproofs 
from the Court of Spain, for his neglect, he 
consented that they should purchase a ship. 
Thus was Columbus's distress relieved at a 
moment when he least expected it; a cor- 
roborating proof, my children, that we 
should never despair, even though earthly 
hope appears lost, but, relying on the assis- 
tance of our Creator, persevere in our duty 
to the last extremity. Thus did Columbus, 
and thus may we act, should it ever be 
necessary to exert ourselves, in a similar 
situation. 

The purchased vessel at length arrived at 



238 COLUMBUS. 

Jamaica, where Columbus had, for a whole 
year, been enduring repeated trials and vex- 
ations. You rriay, therefore, readily believe 
how joyfully the whole party embarked, and 
sailed for St. Domingo. 

In order to conceal his baseness, by mean 
and despicable servility, the governor re- 
ceived Columbus with the most distinguish- 
ed honours; yet while his lips flattered the 
man whom his heart detested, he could not 
entirely restrain the rancour he internally 
felt, and which showed itself in a manner 
highly insulting to his guest. The leaders 
of the mutiny, whom the admiral was .taking 
with him to Spain, in order that they might 
be tried for their misconduct, he commanded 
to be set at liberty ; and even threatened 
those who had remained faithful to their 
commander, with a severe investigation of 
their conduct. 

Columbus had patiently sustained too 
many vexations to sink under this ; and, 
hastening to leave a country, which he ap- 
peared to have discovered only to over- 
whelm him with unha[)piness, he set sail for 1 
Spain as soon as two vessels could be pre- 
pared for his departure. 

In this last voyage he experienced the 
same fate, which the impenetrable decrees of 
Povidence had ever destined to ^pursue him 
in all his enterprizes ; he was overtaken by 
most dreadful storms, which so entirely 



•OLUMBUS. 239 

damaged tlie vessel in which he had em- 
barked, ihat it was obliged to return to Flis- 
paniola. A more than common stock of 
courMgo and skill was therefore necessary 
to proceed on the voyiige in the olher, as 
that had also snff(Mcd severely in the tem- 
pest ; it having lost both main and fore-n»ast, 
and had received consid('ral)le damage in its 
hull. Notwithstanding this, ColuHd)US con- 
tinued his couise, and sailed seven hundred 
marine leagues in a ship little better than a 
wreck ; and after the greatest dangers, reach- 
ed the hai bour of St. Luear, in Andalusia. 

And now, my dear pupils, you tloubtless 
expect to find his misfortunes happily ter- 
minated. But the hope is vain; for he had 
scarcely set foot on land, before he was ap- 
prised of the most melancholy event that 
could have happened to him — his firm 
friend and protectress, the Queen Isabella, 
was just dead. It» her he had placed his 
wdu)le hope of obtaining either justice or 
recompence for the rej:)ealcd injtiires he had 
sustained, and now, alas! that hope was en- 
tirely destroyed ; for he could promise him- 
self no success from the suspicious contract- 
ed temper of the king, who had never en- 
tered cordially into his views. 

Notwithslatiding this severe disappoint- 
ment, as speedily as his licalth wouhJ pei-mit 
he repaired to court, in order to accjuaint 
the king with the success of his voyage, and 



240 COLUMBUS. 

every occurrence that had happened to him. 
He was, however, received with tlie most 
ungracious coldness ; his just complaints of 
the ill treatment he had rtceived were disre- 
garded ; and his equally just request to be 
reinstated in his rights and privileges, was 
answered by pitiful and frivolous excuses. 

Thus this deserving man, who had merited 
so greatly from the Crown of Spain, was ne- 
cessitated to devote the close of his labori- 
ous and useful life to the fruitless humiliation" 
of soliciting justice fron) an unjust judge, and 
suj)plicating tlie bare performance of his 
riglits from a king who withheld them, until 
at length it pleased Heaven to terminate his 
sufierings and vexations. Exhausted by the 
numberless difficulties and sorrows he had 
encountered, he died at Valadolid, in the 
year 1506, in the 59th, or, as some authors 
say, in the 65th yciw of his age. 

The close of his life was worthy the man- 
ner in which he had lived ; the same tran- 
quillity of mind and pious resignation, that 
he h id shown in the most disastrous situa- 
tions, did not now forsake him ; and his care- 
worn spirit appeared j<^'yfully to take its flight 
to the mansion of that Being, before whose 
judgment-seat kings themselves must bow. 

[The Father here made a pause, but at 
length continued,^ 

Would you wish, my children, that I 
should describe the person and character of 



COLURIBUS. 241 

Columbus, as we have received it from his 
hisiorinns? 

Some of the Children. Oh ! yes, dear 
father ! 

Father. He is reported to have been tall 
and well formed, his deportment noble and 
commanding, his face long, his nose aqui- 
line, his complexion fair, his eyes blue and 
animated. Jn his youth his hair was inclin- 
ed to red, but hibour and sorrow had turned 
it grey at an early period ; for his whole 
life was a mingled scene of happiness and 
misery, of applause and disgrace, of the 
highest honours and the most humiliating de- 
gradations. His hours of satisfaction were 
few and fleeting ; but seldom did a day pass 
in which he had not to support the exiremi- 
tiess either of pain, sorrow, or vexation. 

He naturally possessed a good constitu- 
tion, and great strength and activity. His 
deportment was easy and prepossessing, his 
manners mild and unaffected ; he was affa- 
ble to strangers, humane to his domestics, 
and cheerful with his friends, — but what 1 
think particularly distinguished him was, the 
fortitude and patience he showed in every 
reverse of fortune. 

His conduct in all the perilous events of 

his life plainly demonstrates that he possessed 

an elevated mind, a strong genius, and a 

penetrating knowledge ; to which was add- 

21 



242 eoLuMBus. 

ed, a heart that nobly withstood the calami- 
ties that assailed it. Few have equalled him 
in prudence and perseverance, none have 
surpassed him in fortitude and patience. 

Notwithstandini!; he had passed two-thirds 
of his life in an inferior station, yet he had 
no sooner risen hy his merit, than he natural- 
ly assumed the behaviour proper to his rank, 
and appeared born to command ; he was 
distinguished by a becoming gravity, and no 
one possessed niore perfectly that impressive 
and persuasive eloquence so necessary to in- 
spire respect and obedience. He spoke lit- 
tle, but always with energy and effect. 

He was abstemious in his diet, modest in 
his clothing ; and in all those expeditions 
that were attended with scarcity or danger, 
he willingly resigned all indulgences that his 
companions could not partake. 

In his youth he had carefully applied to 
study, and therefore surpassed most of his 
cotemporaries ; but what more than all ren- 
ders him worthy our esteem and emulation, 
was his unaffected piety and unshaken pro- 
bity, of which he gave evident proofs on va- 
rious occasions. He was naturally passion- 
ate; but combating this vice by the princi- 
ples of religion, he so entirely subdued it, 
that the utmost insolence and repeated af- 
fi'onts of his enemies could not provoke him 
to anger. Such was the man to whom Spain 
was guilty of such flagrant injustice, but 



coLUMBUi. 248 

ivhose fame will be held in remembrance lo 
the latest posterity, and excite admiration in 
the hea'rls of all those who properly appre- 
ciate such virtue as dignified Columbus. 

Their father ceased, and the young people 
for some time remained in melancholy si- 
lence, until Charlotte, clasping his neck, 
said, — But, my dear father, is there no con- 
tinuation of this history? You know not 
how anxious we are on the subject. 

Father. Of that I shall think at some fu- 
ture period ; enough has been related for 
this day, therefore 1 must bid you good night. 



DIALOCfUE XIX. 

At the close of the last dialogue, the young 
people had easily discovered that there was 
some relation yet to follow, though they could 
not devise the subject, and eager to satisfy a 
laudable curiosity, Charlotte said to her fa- 
ther, as they were seated around him in the 
evening, — My dear papa, will you be good 
enough to continue your narrative a little ? 
We are all so anxious, that we shall scarcely 
sleep if you do not gratify us. 

Father. I should be sorry to break your 
rest, and, as I love to oblige you when you 



244 



COLUMBUS. 



have cheerfully fulfilled the duties of the 
day, am willing to resume my recital. 

Some of the Children. Thank you, thank 
you, father ! 

Others. Silence ! let my father begin. 

Father. Columbus being dead, J shall 
hereafter relate to you the life of a man who 
has rendered himself scarcely less conspicu- 
ous in history. 

Frederic. Dear father, what was his 



name 



Father. Patience ; that I shall not men- 
lion yet. 1 m.ust first relate to you what 
happened after the death of Columbus, until 
this personage became publicly known, 
should I neglect w^hich, you would not com- 
prehend his history. 1 must first lead you 
back to Hispaniola, in order to see how af- 
fairs were situated undeT the administration 
of Ovando; but I shudder to relate, as you 
will also to hear, the atrocious barbarities 
committed in this unhappy and devoted 
country. 

Ovando, with regard to the Spaniards, was 
not a bad regent. He made several wise 
regulations, and succeeded in re-establishing 
peace and good order in the colony. By 
the opening of several mines he enriched 
the king, his companions, and himself; and 
what has proved of the greatest advantage 
to this island, as well as to all Europe, he in- 
troduced the cultivation of the sugar cane, 



COLUMBUS. 



245 



the plants of which he procured from the 
Canaries. Happy thought!* How many 
millions of pounds of sugar have since been 
produced in those climntes, where none be- 
fore that period grew ; and how many thou- 
sand people have been supported by this 
important branch of commerce ! 

Thus far all was well. But why was it 
necessary that a man, who in some cases 
made such prudent reiiulations, should con- 
duct himself towards the unhappy natives of 
this country, as a monster deserving only 
the abomination of every mind susceptible 
of humanity ? Listen, my children, and 
judge whether I speak too severely of him. 

Not content with having subdued the le- 
gitimate owners, and reduced the innocent 
inhabitants of the island to slavery, and with 
having condemned them to furnish a yearly 

* The translator must differ in opinion from Mr, Campe, 
and consider it as a pernicious thought, for those millions of 
pounds of sugar cannot surely be put in compeiition with the 
numberless barbarities the culture of that plant has occasioned, 
any more than can the luxury of Europeans be considered of 
sufficient conseqnence to be purchased at the yearly expence 
of the lives of thousands of their fellow creatures. In the eye 
of the world, the death of a few negroes may be immaterial ; 
but in the eye of God, will it not be the death of men and 
brethren, who, however destitute of external advantages, and 
deficient in the refinements of education, are equally estima- 
ble in his sight as the polished European ? 

21* 



246 



COLUMBUS. 



tribute infinitely above their ability to col- 
lect, he treated them as beasts of burthen, 
which he could dispose of at pleasure, there- 
fore lo render himself popular with his ava- 
ricious compaiiiotis, he i^ave to one twenty, 
to another fifty, and to a third an hundred of 
these unfortunate Indians, with the same un- 
concern as a proprietor would distribute 
sheep or pigs among his dependants. At the 
same time fie gave permission for them to be 
employed as their owners chose, and to be 
treated according lo their inclination. 

In consequence of this distribution, this 
weak and inoffensive people were so inhu- 
manly treated by their barbarous tyrants, 
that the greater part died from fatigue or 
other oppressive causes; and many others, 
weary of a life so replete with wretchedness, 
sought relief in an untimely death. When 
Coluiribus discovered this country, the num- 
ber of natives was estimated at one million, 
and only fif(een years after, sixty thousand 
souls alone remained. Thus, you see that in 
this short space not less than nine hundred 
and forty thousand persons had perished by 
the barbarity of the Europeans. 

There was still in the island a district, the 
inhabitaats of which, though they were trib- 
utary, yet enjoyed the satisfaction of being 
governed by their own queen. Her name 
was Anacoana. She was the decided friend 
of the Spaniards, and regularly paid the 



eOLUMBtTS. 247 

tribute they had imposed upon her subjects. 
Unhappily, in the district she governed, sev- 
eral of the unprincipled partizans of Roldan 
had settled ; and though received and treat- 
ed by the queen and her subjects with the 
utmost kindness, yet they could not restrain 
their natural propensity to evil, committing 
repeated acts of injustice and violence against 
the natives, until the queen was at length 
necessitated to reprove their conduct. This 
deserved reprimand so highly exasperated 
these villains, that they resolved upon re- 
venge, and in consequence formed the abom- 
inable project of destroying this inoffensive 
people. To accomplish their purpose they 
applied to Ovando, at St. Domingo, inform- 
ing him that the Queen Anacoana had a 
design to revolt, and speedily to free herself 
from the yoke of Spain ; they therefore 
counselled him to prevent her, by seizing 
upon her person, property, and territories. 

Ovando possessed too much penetration 
not at once to discover the dark design of 
these wretches. He well knew the false- 
hood of their accusation ; but coveting to 
possess the wealth and territories of the 
queen, he was vile enough to pretend a be- 
lief of this accusation, and took steps ac- 
cordingly. 

The queen's power was, however, not to 
be contemned ; her district was extensive, 



248 



COLUMBUS. 



and not less than three hundred caciques 
were said to be her vassals. 

Frederic. What are vassals, father ? 

Father. It is proper you should learn 
that, being one yourself. 

Frederic. 1 ! father ? 

Father. Undoubtedly you are, as are 
also your brothers, my vassals. Have I not 
given to each of you a portion of ground for a 
garden ? In return for which, have you not 
engaged to dig, sow, weed, or water my gar- 
den when 1 require it ? Do 1 not protect 
you, so that no one dare injure your land, or 
take any thing from it without your permis- 
sion ? And should any of you quit me, or 
chance to die, should I not have a right to 
take back my ground, either for my own 
use, or to give to another ? 

Frederic. Certainly, father. 

Father. I then am your lord, or chief, 
and you are my vassals or dependants. Do 
you comprehend the meaning of the word, 
now, Frederic ? 

Frederic. Perfectly. 

Father. The Queen Anacoana had, as I 
before informed you, three hundred caciques, 
that were her vassals, and consequeruly 
were engaged to assist her whenever she 
required their services. Ovando was ap- 

{)rised of this circumstance, and consequent- 
y feared to show his intention by open hos- 
tilities, as his own soldiery were greatly re- 



COLUMBUS. 249 

duced by the unwholesome air of the cli- 
mate ; he therefore resolved to have re- 
course to the most mean and despicable 
treachery. 

With this view he sent word to the queen, 
that in order to strengthen the bonds of 
friendship between her and the Spaniards, 
he had resolved to pay her a visit, with a 
retinue suited to her high rank, and speedily 
after departed for that apparent purpose, 
attended by three hundred foot, and seventy 
horsemen. 

The queen, far from entertaining any sus- 
picion of the people to whom she was sin- 
cerely attached, was delighted at this visit, 
and, in order to receive them with the more 
distinguished honours, assembled her numer- 
ous vassals, and prepared to meet the per- 
fidious Ovando. 

On his approach, Anacoana, according to 
the custom of her country, received him with 
singing, dancing, and every token of satis- 
faction ; then conducted him to her dwell- 
ing, where she endeavoured, with unwearied 
kindness, to render every thing convenient 
and agreeable, both to Ovando and his com- 
panions, ordering, for several days succes- 
sively, a repetition of diversions, which were 
usual to the nation. 

Ovando testified the utmost satisfaction, 
and at length requested the queen to suffer 
him to entertain her and the court, in his 



250 fOLBMBUS. 

turn, with an European entertainment. This 
offer was accepted with thanks, and the day 
following the whole court, as well as great 
numbers of Indians, assembled, to see the 
promised diversions. Ovando, in the mean 
time, retired, as he said, to make the neces- 
sary arrangements for the entertainment, 
which was to consist of a tournament. 

He soon afterwards returned with his cav- 
alry, followed by the infantry, who, without 
the appearance of design, took possession of 
all the avenues, while himself, at the head 
of the horsemen, in close ranks, advanced 
towards the place of entertainment, which 
consisted of a spacious hall, simply covered 
•with a roof, supported by a great number of 
pillars, and where the whole court was as- 
sembled. The unsuspecting Indians, de- 
lighted with this warlike spectacle, testified 
the utmost pleasure, until Ovando gave the 
appointed signal, by laying his hand on a 
cross which he wore. In a moment every 
sword was drawn, and the treacherous 
guests fell upon^their betrayed and panic- 
struck entertainers with the most savage bar- 
barity, slaying an infinite number, without 
distinction of age or sex. The queen was 
seized and loaded with irons, and the ca- 
ciques tied to the pillars of the building ; 
when, to complete the tragedy, the fiend- 
like Ovando ordered the edifice to be set on 
fire, which being executed, the unhappy 



COLUMBUS. 251 

victims of his cruelty were consumed in the 
flames. 

You shudder, my dear children, and with 
reason ; but reserve a portion of your sym- 
pathy for the unfortunate queen, who was 
far more to he pitied than those who perish- 
ed by the fire or sword. Like a defenceless 
lamb, in the Tangs of a ferocious wolf, she 
was dragged by her executioner, to St. Do- 
mingo, not to spare her life, but in order to 
lengthen her suffering, and to give his bar- 
barity, the specious appearance of justice. 
At length she was brought to trial ; and 
without the smallest proof of guilt, on the 
deposition of the treacherous villains who 
accused her, she was condemned to be 
hanged ; and this execrable sentence was 
executed. 

The emotion of the young people, for some 
minutes, caused their father to remain silent ; 
at length he resumed : — 

From this time, fear, despair, and horror, 
possessed the minds of the Indians ; nor had 
any the courage to attempt shaking off the 
tyrannic yoke of the Spaniards. Queen 
Isabella, during her life, showed herself a 
zealous protectress of these unfortunate peo- 
ple, and in some measure, restrained the 
cruelty of their oppressors ; but, after her 
death, they were left to the mercy of their 
unfeeling tyrants. It is true, that a worthy 
priest, called Bartholomew de las CasaSj 



252 COLUMBUS. 

boldly spoke aloud in their defence, not 
only in the West Indies, but in Spain ; but 
the voice of one man crying for mercy on 
these sufferers, was soon stifled by the united 
clamour of their barbarian masters, who 
easily refuted the just complaints and hu- 
mane reasoning of Las Casas, by the ingots 
of gold they transmitted to Spafn. 

The few Indians their cruelty had left, 
decreased so visibly, that they had no long- 
er a sufficient number to work the mines ; 
Ovando, therefore, proposed to the king, to 
transport thither the inhabitants of the Lu- 
cayo Islands. You doubtless remember 
that Columbus discovered these on his first 
voyage ? 

Nicholas. Perfectly, father. 

Father. Ovando's proposal was, to trans- 
port the natives of these islands to Hispanio- 
la, in order, as he said, that they might, more 
commodiously,be instructed in the Christian 
religion. The kinj; consented, and Ovando 
devised a new artifice, the more easily to 
entrap these innocent victims — an artifice 
worthy of his degenerate soul. Some ves- 
sels were equipped with the utmost despatch, 
and sent to the Lucayos, where the crea- 
tures of Ovando, who perfectly understood 
the language of the natives, with hypocriti- 
cal knavery held out the following falsehood 
to the credulous Indians. 

" Hearken, good people, to the agreeable 



COLUMBUS. 253 

news we bring unto j^ou. We are just ar- 
rived from the land of souls, where your 
deceased ancestors lead a life of such ex- 
quisite felicity, that it is impossible to de- 
scribe it. By us they entreat you to repair 
to them immediately, and partake their hap- 
piness ; to which request, if you are wise 
enough to consent, we are willing to conduct 
you to them." 

Thus spoke these unprincipled hypocrites ; 
and the Indians, too simple to suspect the 
treacherous plot that was devised against 
them, without deliberation, rushed by multi- 
tudes into the vessels, delighted with the 
supposition that they were going to be re- 
united to those who had been most dear to 
them. The number of these unfortunate 
victims amounted to forty thousand. 

They no sooner arrived at Hispaniola, 
than they found their niistake. Some died 
from sorrow and vexation ; others made a 
last effort to withdraw themselves from the 
fans^s of these tigers ; among these last men- 
tioned, some were met and taken up l)y a 
Spanish vpssel, on the open sea, at the dis- 
tance of fifty leagues from Hispaniola. They 
were seated on the trunk of a tree, and en- 
deavouring, by the help of their oars, to re- 
gain their native land. All their provision 
consisted of a few calabashes, filled with fresh 
water, which they had tied to the trunk. 
22 



254 



COLUMBUS. 



Frederic, What is a calabash, father ? 

Father. The calabash is the fruit of a 
tree that grows in the West Indies, not unlike 
our large gourds. Its skin is tough ; but 
beneath it is a pulpy substance, rather acid, 
and not unpleasant to the taste. The out- 
side is used by the Indians for several pur- 
poses, such as drinking vessels, dishes, &;c. 

But to return to our narrative. When the 
Spaniards discovered the poor Indians, and 
intercepted their voyage, they had nearly 
reached their island ; and their grief and de- 
spair may be more easily imagined than de- 
scribed, when they found themselves again 
obliged to bend their necks to the yoke of 
slavery, from which they had escaped at the 
imminent hazard of their lives. Artifice was 
now out of reason ; the Spaniards had re- 
course to violence ; and thus these well- 
peopled islands were, in a few years, left 
without a single inhabitant. 

Henry. What abominable wTCtches ! Had 
I lived in those days, I would have devoted 
myself to punish such villains. 

Father. My dear boy, in all probability, 
you would not have succeeded better than 
Las Casas, who also devoted himself to the 
service of the unhappy Indians ; therefore, 
rather let us thank God that we exist in an 
age when such atrocities are not committed. 
Las Casas tried all possible means to save 



COLUMBUS. 255 

the wretched creatures, whose defence he 
had undertaken ; but his kindness was una- 
vailing, and at length his zeal so far blinded 
his better judgment, that he involved, in their 
destruction, another species of men. He 
advised, that, for the most laborious works, 
the Spaniards should purchase negroes from 
the coast of Africa, as they were more 
healthy and robust than the Americans. This 
counsel was adopted ; and thence arose the 
inhuman practice of purchasing slaves, which 
for some years past has deprived above forty 
thousand of our negro brethren of their liber- 
ty, happiness, and often their lives. How- 
ever, this vile traffic now appears to be 
declining, as the legislature of the first com- 
mercial nation in the world, has nobly stepped 
forth, and decreed its extinction. 

Henry. Pray, father, what is the present 
state of Hispaniola ? 

Father. Rather say, Haiti ; for it is now 
called by its former name. But to answer 
your question satisfactorily, it will be neces- 
sary to recount the events of a few years that 
have passed away. Haiti then, as you all 
know, was first discovered and possessed by 
the Spaniards ; but, for a long time past, the 
most considerable part has been in the power 
of the French, to whom also the Spanish pos- 
sessions in the island were likewise ceded 



S56 COLUMBUS. 

by a treaty between the two nations, in. the 
year 1795. 

The French towns are Cape Francois, 
(the capital ;) Fort Dauphin ; St. Mark ; 
Leogane ; Petit Goave ; Jeremie ; Les 
Cayes ; St. Louis, and Jacmel. 

The population of the island, in the year 
1788, was estimated at twenty-seven thou- 
sand, seven hundred and seventeen white 
people; twenty-one thousand, eight hun- 
dred and eight free people of colour ; and 
four hundred and five thousand, five hundred 
and twenty-eight slaves. The importation of 
negro slaves being, that year, in this island 
alone, twenty- six thousand, five hundred and 
six ; they were sold for eight millions of 
dollars. 

In the night between the 22d and 23d of 
August, 1791, a most alarming insurrection 
commenced on the French plantations, mark- 
ed by the most horrid cruelty. In a short 
time, an hundred thousand negroes were in 
open rebellion, and all the manufactories and 
plantations, of more than half of the northern 
part, appeared in flames. Plains and moun- 
tains were filled with carnage, and deluged 
with blood. From that time to this period 
there have been most dreadful con- 
flicts, in which the people of colour, have 
proved, in general, successful ; retaliating, 
with vindictive cruelty, upon their oppressors. 



COLUMBUS. 



257 



Their chief, proceeding; upon the model of 
an European usurper, of great notoriety, as- 
sumed the title of Emperor, and for several 
years exercised tyrannical sway over his 
black brethren, till they, grown tired of cruel- 
ty and arbitrary rule, divided into factions, 
brought about another revolution, and are 
now (1826) governed by President Boyer. 

But it is now time to conclude for the 
evening. Farewel. 



DIALOGUE XX. 

Henry. Dear father, shall we hear no 
more of Don Bartholomew, the brother of 
Columbus ? 

Father. I am glad you have reminded 
me of him ; — we should not forget the af- 
flicted family of our deceased friend. 

The eldest son of Columbus, whose name 
was Diego, insisted, after the death of his fa- 
ther, that the contract he held from the king, 
should be fulfilled, demanding it as his right, 
to be acknowledged as Viceroy of the West 
indies, which was stipulated to be hereditary 
in his family. Ferdinand was, however, 
22* 



258 COLUMBUS* 

equally unjust to the son as to the father, and 
all representations on the subject were fruit- 
less. At length Don Diego coinraenced an 
action against the king, in the tribunal ap- 
pointed to examine into all American causes; 
and let it be remembered, to the immortal 
glory of this court, that the judges had the 
probity and courage to decide against the 
monarch, and to declare that justice demand- 
ed that the promise made to Columbus should 
be ratified to his son. 

Some of the Children. I am glad of that, 
however. 

Father. Notwithstanding this decree, the 
king probably might have paid little regard to 
the injunction, had not Don Diego found 
means to strengthen his legitimate right, by a 
yet stronger interest. Raised by the decree 
of the court to the highest rank of the Spanish 
empire, he asked in marriage the daughter of 
one of the first lords in the kingdom, and 
niece to the Duke of Alba, and found no dif- 
ficulty in obtaining her. This powerful fam- 
ily did not cease importuning the king in fa- 
vour of Don Diego, until at length he was 
compelled to do him justice. Ovando was 
therefore recalled, and the family of Colum- 
bus, triumphant over malice and injustice, 
embarked for Hispaniola. 

J^icholas. Ah, I wish Columbus had been 
alive to see it. 



COLUMBUS. 259 

Father, The soul of the just man, my 
son, is superior to earthly pleasure. In the 
enjoyment of celestial happiness, should a 
thought intervene of worldly things, they 
must be regarded as a dream, or only give 
cause for rejoicing ; as the soul, purified from 
the grossness of mortality, can only regard 
sufferings on earth as the preliminaries of 
happiness. 

Accompanied by his brother, his uncle, and 
his wife, Don Diego departed with the utmost 
magnificence for Hispaniola, where he resided 
in a style of splendour proportionate to the 
merits of his father. A number of people of 
rank and fortune followed him, and in a short 
time, gave a very different appearance to the 
colony. Several respectable families that at 
this day flourish in Spanish America, are de- 
scendants from these companions of Don 
Diego. 

Let us now examine how the territories of 
the Spaniards were, by degrees, extended. 

During the government of Ovando, a man, 
named Juan Ponce, had asked permission to 
establish a colony in the Island of Porto Rico, 
which was discovered by Columbus. On 
obtaining leave he sailed thither, accompa- 
nied by a number of adventurers, attracted 
by the hope of making their fortunes, as this 
island was said to abound in gold. 

The natives resembled those of Hispaniola, 



260 



COLUMBUS. 



in the mildness of their disposition. They 
also received the strangers in an hospitable 
manner, regarding them as beings of a su- 
perior order ; and one of the caciques, par- 
ticularly to show his veneration and friend- 
ship, caused himself to be immediately named 
after the Spanish commander, Juan Ponce 
Agueynaba. But these supposed celestials 
soon threw off the mask, and by their brutali- 
ty and inhumanity speedily undeceived the 
Indians, who could scarcely suppose them 
men, but monsters, from their atrocious 
deeds. In order, however, to be assured 
whether they were in reality mortal, the chiefs 
of this unhappy people resolved to make an 
experiment on one of them as soon as possi- 
ble ; and the opportunity was not long 
wanting. 

A young Spaniard, who rambled about the 
island without fear or precaution, one evening 
entered the hut of a cacique, in order to re- 
quest a lodging for the night ; he was received 
and entertained with the utmost hospitality, 
and the cacique next morning sent some In- 
dians with him as guides, whom the cacique 
had previously instructed how to act. 

They conducted the Spaniard to the banks 
of a river, where one of the Indians offered 
his services to carry him over ; which being 
accepted, he took him upon his back, but, 
having reached the depth of the water, pur- 



COLVIMBUS. 261 

posely made a stumble and threw the young 
man under bim, where, with the assistance of 
bis companions he held him until there were 
no signs of life, and then dragged the body to 
the opposite shore. 

Notwithstanding the appearance of death, 
the prejudice the Indians had imbibed of the 
immortality of the Spaniards was so strong, 
that they could not persuade themselves but 
that he would yet revive, and accordingly ask- 
ed him a thousand pardons, and made as 
many excuses for the accident that liad hap- 
pened ; protesting that they had rendered 
him every assistance in their power. Al- 
though the body was entirely bereft of life, 
they continued with it three days, repeating 
their protestations, and momentarily expect- 
ing to see it revive. At length the putrid 
smell which began to exliale from the corpse, 
convinced them that he was in reality dead ; 
when, losing no longer time in excuses, they 
hastened to the cacique with the joyful tidings 
that the white men were not immortal, as they 
had succeeded in killing one ! 

This discovery was of the utmost- import- 
ance, and information was in consequence 
sent to the other caciques, who unanimously 
resolved to deliver themselves from their 
tyrannical intruders. But, alas ! what suc- 
cess could be expected from a naked and un- 
armed multitude, opposed against experienc- 



263 COLUMBUS. 

ed warriors, furnished with swords, fire-arms, 
horses and dogs ? It is true that they suc- 
ceeded in cutting off about a hundred that 
were stragghng in different parts of the island ; 
but this success was dearly earned, by the 
total loss of their liberties and happiness, — 
for Ponce, collecting his army, which was 
entirely composed of veteran soldiers, pursued 
the Indians into their retreats, where those 
who did not fall by the sword, were taken 
prisoners and condemned to slavery. 

During this engagement with the natives 
some reinforcements having arrived from 
Spain, the Indians were simple enough to be- 
lieve that the Spaniards they had killed were 
come to life again, and that in consequence 
opposition was vain. This superstitious idea 
completely overpowered their courage, and 
tremblingly they submitted to receive the 
heavy yoke which the cruelty of their tyrants 
imposed upon them without mercy. In de- 
scribing the carnage made at Porto Rico, the 
historians of that day speak highly of the sa- 
gacity and courage of a large dog, called 
Bezerrillo, who, as they recount, performed 
wonderful execution among the natives. 
*' He could perfectly distinguish," say they, 
" which of the Indians were friends, and which 
were enemies ; and so ferocious was he, that 
they were more afraid of ten Spaniards with 
this dog, than of a hundred without him," 



COLVMBUS. 263 

In otder to ingratiate themselves with so tre- 
mendous an enemy, before the commencement 
of hostilities they never failed to present him 
with the same portion of food, gold, and num- 
ber of slaves as they presented to each Span- 
iard ; a circumstance that rendered him very 
profitable to his master. Among other proofs 
of the discernment of this animal, the follow- 
ing anecdote is related, of which you may 
believe as much or as httle as you please. 
Some inhuman Spaniards wishing to destroy 
an old Indian woman, who had by some 
means displeased them, sent her to a distance 
with a letter, and immediately despatched the 
dog after her in order to worry her. The 
poor creature seeing him run furiously to- 
wards her, threw herself upon her knees, and 
holding out the letter, said, " Ah, dear mas- 
ter, I pray your greatness to spare me ; I am 
taking this letter from our lords, the Chris- 
tians." At these words (says our grave his- 
torian) the dog appeared pacified, caressed 
her, wagged his tail, and turned back without 
doing her the smallest injury. 

But enough, my children of this unfortu- 
nate people. We will now turn to other parts, 
of this oppressed country. As the Spaniards 
continued to extend their discoveries and con- 
quests, I shall confine myself to the most con- 
siderable. The first step that Don Diego took 
to increase his own authority, and enlarge 



264 COLUMBUS. 

the possessions of the king, his master, was, 
to establish at Cubagua, an island discovered 
by his father, a colony for the pearl fishery. 
Look on the map — there is the island, near 
that of MargLiarita, on the.coast of Cumana. 

Frederic. Do they fish for pearls, father ? 

Father. Pearls are formed in oysters and 
muscles, that are found in particular parts of 
the sea, and in some rivers, from whence 
they are collected. Some authors think they 
are produced from sandy concretions ; the 
effect of a disorder to which shell-fish are 
subject, as stones sometimes form in the blad- 
der of the human body. Others suppose 
that pearls are composed of nothing more than 
a superfluity of the fluid which forms the shell, 
and that issuing from the fish remains in drops, 
and coagulates into pearls. Thus much for 
opinions. The pearl fishers, who are usually 
poor slaves, stop their nostrils and ears with 
cotton, and hold in their mouth a piece of 
sponge dipped in oil, and by the assistance of a 
-cord are let down into the sea, in order to 
gather up the oysters and muscles. It is 
easy to conjecture that this perilous business 
costs many unhappy creatures their lives ; 
yet ladies who affect great sensibility do not 
scruple to ornament their necks and arms at 
the expence of the lives of these devoted 
victims. 

Don Diego thought that the Indians, ac- 



COLUMBUS. 265 

customed to dive and swim, would find this 
employment less laborious than working in the 
mines ; he therefore sent a considerable num- 
ber, under European inspectors, to Cubagua, 
where his father had observed the sea to 
abound in pearl oysters. The advantages 
which the king, as also his emissaries derived 
from this fishery were immense ; but the 
miserable Indians who were employed nearly 
all perished, which, added to the barrenness of 
the island, in a short time obliged the Span- 
iards to remove to that of Margnarita. 

At nearly the same period Don Diego took 
possession of Jamaica. Colonies were estab- 
lished there, and the ancient possessors were 
condemned to endine the same oppression 
to which the neighbouring islanders had 
submitted. 

Diego then turned his thoughts on Cuba, 
and intrusted the conquest to a man named 
Velasquez, who, during the life of Columbus, 
had frequently distinguished himself. Num- 
bers of people, led by the hope of making 
their fortunes, joined in the expedition, and 
landed with Velasquez on the eastern part 
of Cuba. 

This country was then under the dominion 
of a cacique, named Hatuey, who, to escape 
from slavery, had quitted Hispaniola, and es- 
tablished himself at Cuba. Sworn enemy to 
23 



266 COLUMBUS. 

the oppressors of his country, he had for a 
considerable time expected this intrusion, and 
therefore constantly kept spies in Hispaniola, 
to apprise him of the approaching danger. 
When informed of the mischief he dreaded, 
he assembled his subjects and allies, and hav- 
ing communicated the alarming news he had 
received, entreated and encouraged them to 
defend their hberty, and rather to lose their 
lives than submit to the yoke of the Spanish 
invaders. This request they unanimously 
promised to fulfil. 

" It is well, ray friends," said Hatuey, 
" but if you resolve to keep off these tyrants, 
one thing is still necessary. Do you know 
what is the cause of their coming hither ? It 
is to seek for the God whom they adore ; and 
if any of you are yet ignorant of what that 
God is, behold it there." Thus speaking, he 
pointed to a basket which contained some 
gold, assuring them that that metal, which 
was in reality good for nothing, was the God 
for which the Christians exposed themselves 
to every danger, and for whose sake alone 
they wished to take possession of the island. 
" Let us hasten therefore," added he, " to 
do honour to this power, in order that we 
may obtain its protection." They then began 
to sing and dance round the basket ; in which 
devotional act they continued, as is the cus- 
tom of the Indians, until the night was far 



COLUMBUS. 267 

advanced, and fatigue and intoxication obliged 
them to separate. 

On the following day Hatuey again assem- 
bled his people, and, addressing them, said, 
that having maturely reflected upon the sub- 
ject of their fears' he conceived, that notwith- 
standing the homage they had paid to the 
God of the Spaniards, there would be no 
security for them as long as it remained upon 
the island. "Vain," added he, " would be 
the attempt to conceal it ; should you even 
swallow it, they would not hesitate to rip you 
open, and tear out your bowels to obtain it. 
Let us, therefore, without delay, clear our 
country of the temptation by throwing it into 
the sea." This plan was unanimously adopt- 
ed, and all the gold that could be collected 
was disposed of according to the advice of 
Hatuey. Notwithstanding these precautions 
they soon discovered the Spanish flag waving 
on their coast, where Hatuey, with manly 
resolution, opposed their landing. A battle 
in consequence ensued ; when the army of the 
unfortunate chief, after a short resistance, was 
put to flight, himself taken, and, in order to 
intimidate the other caciques of the island, 
condemned to be burned alive. 

Some of the Children exclaim^ What dread- 
ful monsters were the Spaniards ! 

Father. He was tied to the stake, and the 
fagots piled round him, when a Franciscan 



268 COLUMBUS* 

friar drew near, in order to describe to him 
the joys of Heaven. Hatuey having listened 
to him for some time, asked, — if there were 
any Spaniards in that region of delights ? 
*' Doubtless !" replied the friar, " all those 
that are worthy." " The best are good for 
nothing," returned Hatuey, " it is therefore 
in vain to persuade me ; 1 will not go to a 
place where there is the least danger of meet- 
ing a single man of them." 

The inhuman desth of Hatuey occasioned 
so universal a dread among the Indians of 
Cuba, that without farther resistance they 
submitted to the yoke of slavery. Thus the 
Spaniards in a few days became masters of 
one of the most extensive and richest islands 
in the world, without the loss of a single 
man. 

During this interval there were many voy- 
ages made to the continent discovered by 
Columbus, and the Spaniards began already 
to form settlements and enslave the natives ; 
but of this I shall speak hereafter. One re- 
markable event, however, at this period, I 
must not forget. Ponce, who had conquered 
the island of Porto Rico, had frequently heard 
from the natives that northward there was an 
island, in which was a fountain, whose waters 
possessed the miraculous property of restoring 
youth to those who bathed in them. Not- 
withstanding the absurdity of this fable, it 



COLUMBUS. 269 

excited the curiosity of the credulous Span- 
iard, who, without further deliberation, re- 
solved to go in search of this wonderful 
fountain. With this intention he left Porto 
Rico, and steered towards the north, on the 
coast of tlie Lucayos, according to the ac- 
count he had heard^ until reaching the twen- 
ty-sixth degree of north latitude, he changed 
his course for the west, where he found, to 
his great joy 

Frederic, interrupting him. The fountain, 
father ? 

Father. No, Frederic, not the fountain, 
but an extensive and beautiful country, which 
we at present know to be part of the conti- 
nent of North America, and to which Ponce 
gave the name of Florida; either from its 
blooming and flowery appearance, or because 
it was discovered on Pahn Simday, alluding 
to the name of that day in the Spanish lan- 
guage. Thus did a ridiculous tale occasion a 
discovery of the greatest importance. 

From this period the attention of the Span- 
iards was turned to another part of the 
world, which till then had remained unknown. 
They had before reason to suppose, that in 
the region where the populous and rich city 
of Mexico lies, there was a conntry hitherto 
undiscovered, but no one had yet attempted 
to search. This enterprize was, however, 



270 COLUMBUS. 

now resolved upon, and a man presented cal- 
culatedj to be intrusted with so important a 
commission, but wiiose name is yet a stran- 
ger to you. 

Frederic. Dear father, what is it ? 

Father. Cortez. JBut enough for the 
present, 1 may sometime hereafter gratify 
you with his history. 



EKD OF COI.UMBCS. 




JUVENILE CLASSICS, 



MuNROE & Francis intend to publish a series of Books 
for Children, comprising- History, Biogra-Phy, Moral 
Tales, tScc. 5 to be done up in a neat, cheap, and durable 
manner, forming excellent Books for Juvenile Libraries. 

They have begun with the HISTORY OF COLUMBUS, 
the HISTORY OF CORTEZ will follow, then the HIS- 
TORY OF PIZARRO. 



MUNROE & FRANCIS 



HAVE JUST PUBLISHED, 



THE PEARL; being the First of an Annual Present for 
youth. An original work, embellished with six engravings, 
bound in silk, and other fancy bindings. By the author cf 
many approved works for children. 

TII2 MIRROR; or Eighteen Juvenile Tales and Dia- 
logues, after the manner of Berquin. By a Lady of Phila- 
delphia. With ten engravings. 

THE YOUNG AMERICANS; or an account of a Voyage 
to Europe, by a family consisting principally of children. By 
the author of * The Mirror." 

GODFREY HALL; or Prudence and Principle, illus- 
trated in the conduct of two young ladies, brought up under 
the care of Lady Godfrey. 

THE YOUNG BOTANIST; or a Sketch of the Life of 
Linnoeus, particularly of his youth ; a most interesting work 
for Children. 

THE YOUNG CADET ; or Henry Delamore's Voyage 
to India, his Travels in Hindoslan, his Account ofthe Burmese 
War, and the Wonders of Elora. By Mrs. Hofland. 

STORIES FOR EMMA; being a Series of Easy Read- 
ing Lessons, with the syllables divided. By the author of 
The Mirror. 

STORIES FROM ROMAN HISTORY ; with 18 designs 
on wood ; being the most interesting parts ofthe events that 
occurred in Rome, condensed for the instruction of children. 

EUGENE AND LOLOTTE ; an interesting account of 
two young French Orphans, expelled from France, in the lime 
of the Revolution. An interesting little story. 

GERMAN POPULAR STORIES; New Series, by the 
Baron Grimm. Illustrated with nine copperplate engravings, 
designed by Cruikshauk. 

FAMILIAR TALES FOR CHILDREN ; being thirty 
entertaining little stories, with pictures, divided into nine books, 
at 6 cents each, or 50 cents a dozen. 



JAN 281949 






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